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 number of the key takeaways and headlines to comply with 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 crimson ball cricket in recent times, 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 type of promotion problem from the second tier.
Nonetheless, the opening spherical of the brand new season could level in direction of a change of fortunes as all three sides secured convincing victories.
There was additionally an identical pattern in all three outcomes – a robust bowling effort in each innings both aspect of a major whole 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‘ potential 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 notably eye-catching on this regard.
They face a stern take a look at in opposition to Essex at Trent Bridge this week, a aspect who comprehensively beat them twice final season, together with dismissals for below 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 in a position to 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 stable 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 prime 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 combo.
In the meantime, there was a definite lack of progress at Derbyshire in three years below Mickey Arthur, ending with the dreaded picket 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 membership that they could be a aggressive pressure this season.
Underneath the management of 2012 promotion-winning captain Wayne Madsen as soon as once more, Australian Caleb Jewell is already trying like a gem of an abroad signing on the prime of the order which was severely missing final 12 months, while their spectacular efficiency with the ball was with out Kiwi Blair Tickner and teenager 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 speak was round ‘who might cease Surrey?’, the main pressure in crimson ball cricket over current years.
Their quest for a fourth consecutive title confronted a difficult begin at Chelmsford although, the place they had been compelled to follow-on after Essex piled on 582, earlier than stubbornly batting out the ultimate day to salvage a draw.
Happy 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 can 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, probably with opening bowler Dan Worrall concerned after sitting out in opposition to Essex.
Ben Foakes can be seeking to construct on his two half-centuries, however England duo Ollie Pope and Dan Lawrence will each be hoping they will 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 crew 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 larger 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 resulted in a draw and there can be a larger 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 harmful first two days.
Batters discovered kind for the Pears within the second innings however the bowlers can be hoping for higher fortune this week in what was a deflating 150 overs within the discipline.
With the 2 sides anticipated to be in direction of the foot of the desk, this early-season contest might already be essential as each seek for treasured Division One victories.
Darren Lehmann realises Northants problem
One of many high-profile additions in the course of 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 dropping key gamers Emilio Homosexual 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 crew be skittled twice by Kent inside 42 overs on dwelling soil within the opening sport as they had 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 sport 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 seems to ascertain himself within the crimson 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 can be thought-about essentially 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.
