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Surrey were head and shoulders above everyone else last season in the County Championship and deservedly claimed their first title since 2002.

But they begin their defence against the only side who beat them last year (only just!) in Essex.

England trio Rory Burns, Ben Foakes and Tom Curran are all in their squad.

However, the trip to The Oval probably couldn't come at a worse time for Essex who took just one point from crushing defeat by Hampshire last week.

Sir Alastair Cook will open the batting for the 2017 champions but wicketkeeper Adam Wheater is sidelined after fracturing his thumb at the Ageas Bowl. Essex have dipped into the loan market to bring Robbie White in for two months from Middlesex as cover.

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England Test captain Joe Root enjoyed his first knock of the season last week with a half-century and a second-innings century against Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge.

He lines up again in Yorkshire colours this week to face Hampshire at the Ageas Bowl.

Stuart Broad had a fairly entertaining tussle with Root in that game, clocking his international team-mate on the helmet first ball. The right-armer is in action again for Notts in his testimonial season against Somerset.

They will have spinner Jack Leach available again, who was left out in favour of a four-pronged seam attack in the comeback win against Kent at Taunton.

As mentioned, champions Surrey have Rory Burns, Ben Foakes and Tom Curran in their squad to face Essex while Ollie Pope will hope to pick up from where he left off against the MCC in Dubai last month with his double century.

In Division Two, Lord's will have a few international stars gracing its grounds as Middlesex host Lancashire.

James Anderson and Keaton Jennings line-up for the Red Rose while Dawid Malan and one-day skipper Eoin Morgan will hope for some more valuable time in the middle for Middlesex.

At Chester-le-Street, Durham host Sussex, who have Chris Jordan in their ranks.

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We've got you completely covered for county cricket here on BBC Sport.

Commentary of every County Championship match is live online and on the BBC Sport app.

Just search through the commentaries at the top of this page to find your match of choice.

BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra are also bringing you coverage of Surrey v Essex from The Oval on DAB Digital Radio and online from 10:50 BST.

Weather outlookpublished at 10:37 British Summer Time 11 April 2019

10:37 BST 11 April 2019

It may not be the warmest of April days, but the good news is it looks like being a mainly dry day to begin this round of fixtures.

Here's the outlook from our colleagues at the BBC Weather Centre...

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As mentioned, a full house of fixtures for this round and here's what we've got to come in the next four days....

Division One:

Ageas Bowl: Hampshire v Yorkshire

Trent Bridge: Nottinghamshire v Somerset

The Oval: Surrey v Essex

Edgbaston: Warwickshire v Kent

Division Two:

Chester-le-Street: Durham v Sussex

Sophia Gardens: Glamorgan v Northamptonshire

Bristol: Gloucestershire v Derbyshire

Grace Road: Leicestershire v Worcestershire

Lord's: Middlesex v Lancashire

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Well, well - here we go again for another set of County Championship matches.

Last week's opening round was very much an appetizer for this week's full house of fixtures with all 18 first-class counties in action.

Four matches in Division One, five in Division Two start this morning and we'll be here with you all the way through to Sunday to bring you all the best coverage, analysis and social media interaction alongside our colleagues from BBC local radio.

Here's to blue skies and sunshine ahead!