County cricket: Surrey start defence against Essex and more – live!

Good Morning from a sunny south London. An americano at an Italian coffee shop a few hundred yards from The Oval, a complimentary easter egg hidden on the saucer, Madonna on the radio and a full round of Championship matches to look forward to – what’s the cricketese for la dolce vita?

Wisden 2019 was launched yesterday and, in case it passed you by, the Five Cricketers of the Year are Sam Curran, Rory Burns, Tammy Beaumont, Jos Buttler and Virat Kohli – who was also named the Leading Cricketer of the Year for the third year in the a row. I started thumbing through the editor’s notes – touching on The Hundred, Alastair Cook, Sandpapergate, sexist jokes, climate change, and more – but got far too distracted so have returned it temporarily to the handbag. I’m biased, as Lawrence Booth is good friend, but the 2019 edition looks a belter. Read extracts for free here .

Anyway, to the cricket. So much to look forward to, from our first look at last year’s County Champions to Cameron Bancroft’s debut as Durham captain.

SURREY V ESSEX

The first run out for the champs under their Cricketer of the Year captain, but they’re not at full strength – with Sam Curran at the IPL and Amar Virdi, Jordan Clark and Jason Roy injured. Eyes on Ollie Pope who scored a double century against the MCC in Abu Dhabi, and Tom Curran who spent most of last season on the bench through injury.

Peter Siddle strengthens an Essex side who lost their opening game against Hampshire last week. After the unlucky Adam Wheater broke his thumb, Essex have signed Middlesex wicketkeeper Robbie White on loan.

HAMPSHIRE V YORKSHIRE

Unbeaten centuries from Joe Root and Gary Ballance gave Yorkshire a draw at Trent Bridge last week, but they’ll have more trouble on their plate against Hampshire’s Fidel Edwards and Kyle Abbot who bowled Hampshire to victory against Essex. Yorkshire have added fit-again Tim Bresnan to their 13-man squad

NOTTS V SOMERSET

An intriguing game. Notts add fit-again and fancied Zac Chappell to their squad for the first time since his mid-winter transfer from Leicestershire, Paul Coughlin is injured. Somerset, who fought back with great gumption to beat Kent in their opening game, add Jack Leach to their squad.

WARWICKSHIRE V KENT

A chance for the two promoted teams to show their colours. Warwickshire are weakened – Ian Bell, Chris Woakes, Liam Norwell and Olly Stone are all on the physio’s couch. Kent, who were on top for at least half the match at Taunton, have named an unchanged squad.

DIVISION TWO

DURHAM V SUSSEX

Durham’s batting last week suggested that Cameron Bancroft took on the captaincy as some kind of self-flagellation. Let’s see what difference he can make. Ned Eckersley is pencilled in behind the stumps in place of Stuart Poynter. Sussex’s Harry Finch has a hand injury and will be replaced by Michael Burgess.

GLAMORGAN V NORTHANTS

It is debut time for Glamorgan with Billy Root, Charlie Hemphrey and Australian overseas player Marnus Labuschagne all expected pull on the lovely daffodil cap. Northants weren’t able to press home their advantage against Middlesex, but are expected to name the same XI.

GLOUCESTERSHIRE V DERBYSHIRE

Gloucestershire’s Stuart Whittingham, David Payne and Ian Cockbain are all injured and the club have signed Yorkshire seamer Josh Shaw on loan. Derbyshire, victorious against Durham, are expected to be unchanged.

LEICESTERSHIRE V WORCESTERSHIRE

Leicestershire are still without Mohammad Abbas but bouncing on air after their victory over Sussex and 10 wickets for young Tom Taylor. New Zealand batsman Hamish Rutherford (Ken’s eldest son) will make his Worcestershire debut. Ben Twohig is out for the season after knee surgery.

MIDDLESEX v LANCASHIRE

Lancashire’s first game of the season – with all eyes on Haseeb Hameed, who made a double century against the students last week and I spotted in the indoor school at Old Trafford on Tuesday, batting and batting and batting. James Anderson, Glenn Maxwell and Mark Footitt, on loan from Notts, are all in the squad. Middlesex are expected to be unchanged.

source: theguardian.com