By Dom Harris
The second week of the 2025 Rothesay County Championship is already upon us after an absorbing opening set of fixtures.
Right here, we spotlight simply a few of the key takeaways and headlines to observe as the subsequent spherical of motion unfolds.
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Trigger for optimism across the East Midlands
There was little to shout about throughout the East Midlands in pink ball cricket lately, with Nottinghamshire flirting with relegation in each seasons since their return to Division One in 2022, while Derbyshire and Leicestershire have did not mount any form of promotion problem from the second tier.
Nonetheless, the opening spherical of the brand new season might level in the direction of a change of fortunes as all three sides secured convincing victories.
There was additionally an analogous development in all three outcomes – a robust bowling effort in each innings both aspect of a major complete with the bat to arrange a easy fourth innings chase.
With captain Haseeb Hameed, Ben Slater and Joe Clarke all scoring over 900 runs, it was Notts‘ capacity to take 20 wickets in a match which was very a lot their undoing in 2024 which made the return to health of Josh Tongue and debut efficiency by abroad recruit Fergus O’Neill significantly eye-catching on this regard.
They face a stern take a look at towards Essex at Trent Bridge this week, a aspect who comprehensively beat them twice final season, together with dismissals for underneath 100 on each events.
Leicestershire vs Derbyshire
Neighbours Leicestershire and Derbyshire meet in a really early season top-of-the-table conflict, with both aspect already capable of surpass their tally of wins from final season with a victory at Grace Street.
The Foxes drew 10 of their 14 video games final season in a strong however uninspiring mid-table end.
With a fairly stacked batting lineup on paper, it was an actual lack of efficiency with the ball which prevented any hopes of a high two push – having solely bowled out a aspect twice on one event – which made the bowling efficiency in Cardiff all of the extra promising.
Ian Holland claimed spectacular match figures of 7-86, Ben Mike was additionally within the wickets and veteran Chris Wright featured having missed the primary half of final season, with England wildcard Josh Hull and abroad Logan van Beek so as to add into the combination.
In the meantime, there was a definite lack of progress at Derbyshire in three years underneath Mickey Arthur, ending with the dreaded wood spoon in 2024.
Nonetheless, a dominant victory over Gloucestershire final week – their first opening spherical success for six years – will breed confidence and a perception across the club that they could be a aggressive pressure this season.
Beneath the management of 2012 promotion-winning captain Wayne Madsen as soon as once more, Australian Caleb Jewell is already wanting like a gem of an abroad signing on the high of the order which was severely missing final 12 months, while their spectacular efficiency with the ball was with out Kiwi Blair Tickner and teen Harry Moore who will solely present extra edge to their fast-bowling ranks.
Defending Champions look to get on the entrance foot
A lot of the pre-season discuss was round ‘who may cease Surrey?’, the main pressure in pink ball cricket over latest years.
Their quest for a fourth consecutive title confronted a difficult begin at Chelmsford although, the place they have been compelled to follow-on after Essex piled on 582, earlier than stubbornly batting out the ultimate day to salvage a draw.
Glad with their efforts on what was a flat pitch, the season opener was a reminder in the event that they wanted one which their closest rivals will probably be difficult as soon as once more.
They return to the Oval on Friday the place they gained six out of seven video games final season to face 2024 runners-up Hampshire, doubtlessly with opening bowler Dan Worrall concerned after sitting out towards Essex.
Ben Foakes will probably be trying to construct on his two half-centuries, however England duo Ollie Pope and Dan Lawrence will each be hoping they’ll make significant contributions because the Worldwide Check summer time attracts nearer.
As for Hampshire, they started their season with a cushty five-wicket win over newly-promoted Yorkshire.
Even with out Mohammad Abbas this 12 months, their bowling assault nonetheless has the standard to trigger each staff issues nevertheless it stays to be seen if their batting unit with out James Vince can carry out persistently sufficient to maintain a title problem – no higher take a look at of that than a visit to South London.
Yorkshire goal to kickstart Division One return
It was a disappointing return to the highest flight for Yorkshire after a batting collapse on the primary day left them with a mountain to climb.
With a batting lineup possessing a mix of worldwide pedigree and younger expertise, they are going to be hoping a return to Headingley will assist facilitate a constructive response, although all six fixtures on the floor of their promotion marketing campaign led to a draw and there will probably be a higher onus on the bowling to transform these attracts into wins if they’re to make sure their security.
They face a resilient Worcestershire aspect stuffed with perception and momentum following their spectacular draw at Somerset after a dangerous first two days.
Batters discovered kind for the Pears within the second innings however the bowlers will probably be hoping for higher fortune this week in what was a deflating 150 overs within the area.
With the 2 sides anticipated to be in the direction of the foot of the desk, this early-season contest may already be essential as each seek for valuable Division One victories.
Darren Lehmann realises Northants problem
One of many high-profile additions through the low season was the arrival of former Australian head coach Darren Lehmann at Wantage Street.
This announcement triggered positivity forward of the brand new marketing campaign following a difficult return to Division Two final 12 months, regardless of shedding key gamers Emilio Gay and Jack White within the winter to Durham and Yorkshire respectively.
Stating “I hate attracts” and promising an entertaining model of cricket, Lehmann won’t have loved watching his new staff be skittled twice by Kent inside 42 overs on dwelling soil within the opening recreation as they have been convincingly crushed by 145 runs.
Rob Keogh and George Bartlett each registered half centuries however Luke Proctor was the one different participant to attain greater than 20 in both innings in a torrid recreation for the batters.
There have been some positives with the ball, notably promising 20-year-old fast Raphael Weatherall taking six wickets within the match as he appears to determine himself within the pink ball aspect.
It doesn’t get any simpler for Lehmann both as he takes his aspect to Previous Trafford this week to face promotion favourites Lancashire in what will probably be thought-about probably the most difficult fixture for all different Division Two outfits.
There’ll doubtless be one change to the lineup with Nottinghamshire’s leg spin all-rounder Calvin Harrison arriving on a two-game mortgage, although the batting lineup is predicted to stay the identical and be given the chance to place final week firmly behind them.
