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It's probably safe to say Nottinghamshire's season can't falter as badly as last year.

After winning three of their opening four matches, the county then won only a single game in their final 10 and avoided relegation by the skin of their teeth.

They've recruited well over the winter - bringing in two of England's brightest batting prospects - Joe Clarke from Worcestershire and Ben Duckett from Northants.

Their pace bowling unit looks strong and Aussie quick James Pattinson will only add to their riches when he arrives later this month.

The first hurdle though... Yorkshire.

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Kent are back in Division One after eight seasons away - but they are going to have to wait for action at Taunton where rain has delayed the start.

Under the captaincy of former South Africa batsman Heino Kuhn, they'll have to do without the services of prolific paceman Matt Henry this year.

The New Zealander was the leading wicket-taker in Division Two in 2018 with 75.

Sam Billings and Joe Denly are also away at the IPL, but evergreen all-rounder Darren Stevens continues to chug along at the ripe old age of 42.

He won't be the oldest man on the field today though - that honour goes to Marcus Trescothick. 'Banger' is 43.

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As always at the start of a new season, there is anticipation about how overseas players having their first taste of the county circuit will perform.

Among this year's crop of newbies, the only ones involved in the first round of Championship games are West Indies captain Jason Holder (Northants), Pakistan paceman Mir Hamza (Sussex) and New Zealander Logan van Beek (Derbyshire).

All-rounder Holder is only around for the first month of the season, but plans to make the most of it, telling BBC Look East: "I just wanted some cricket before the World Cup. I thought it was a good opportunity for me to come and play some cricket in English conditions.

"Both with bat and ball, I just want to be consistent. Obviously a number of West Indians have here in the past at various counties. I'm just adding to the list, but hopefully I can leave my mark here at Northants."

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When Essex won the title in 2017, Alastair Cook - or Sir Alastair Cook as we should now call him - was only able to play seven games because of England commitments, but his 667 runs, including three centuries, were a significant factor in their success.

And now, with his Test career finished, they can look to the left-handed opener for similar inspiration as they look to wrest the trophy from Surrey and bring it back to Chelmsford. So how does he view their prospects?

"What happened in 2017 was very special and proves that we can do it. There's no reason why we can't repeat it, but we can't be looking at September," he told BBC Essex.

"You're not going to win the County Championship in the first couple of games, but you need to get yourself into position by the end of the first period, and then the next little block, and build your way up, that's what we did in 2017 so well."

Few can match Cook when it comes to 'building' and with an unbeaten 150 against Cambridge MCCU already, don't be surprised if he ends the summer as the country's leading run-scorer.

The Hundred. The 100. The C. The Cent. The Cto. The 百. Whatever language you use, it's coming soon.

But while we wait for the 2020 'revolution', there are one or two less radical changes to county cricket to get your heads around this summer.

• Three teams will be promoted from Division Two of the Championship, with only one relegated from the top flight
• No day-night Championship games this summer
• More Championship matches at out grounds, including York, Liverpool and Newclose on the Isle of Wight, because of the World Cup
• A month-long break after the first two rounds of the Championship to accommodate a repositioned One-Day Cup.

Made a note of all that? Then we are all good to go.

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There are only six games in the opening round of Championship fixtures, with Surrey, Warwickshire, Lancashire, Gloucestershire, Glamorgan and Worcestershire completing their preparations against student opposition.

Top of the bill for us is the meeting of England team-mates Stuart Broad and Joe Root as Notts take on Yorkshire at Trent Bridge - and Broady wants his mate's wicket.

"We're great friends and have played a lot of cricket together, but as soon as he wears the white rose of Yorkshire and I put a Notts stag on, we're enemies," he declared.

Also in Division One, we have Hampshire against 2017 champions Essex and Somerset against promoted Kent - will it be regular runners-up Somerset's turn to cast off the floral halter neck bridesmaid dress and slip on the elegant snow white bridal gown of title glory this summer?

We'll be keeping you up to date with all three as events unfold - and providing regular updates on the trio of Division Two games as well.

Aye, aye, here we are again.

Yes, eight calendar days earlier than in 2018, the County Championship is back.

Last summer was the joint hottest on record in England and there was some red-hot action to match.

Remember Surrey steamrollering their way to the title with 10 wins, including five by an innings? Remember, the thrilling tie between Somerset and Lancashire, the first in a Championship game for 15 years?

We can't promise you another heat wave, but we can promise you an eager flurry of words as we settle in for another summer of BBC text commentary coverage.

Welcome to day one of the new county season.

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