Summary

  • Opening day of 2022 County Championship season

  • Two-division model back for 2022, with 10 teams in Division One and eight in Division Two

  • Div One: Essex v Kent, Hants v Som, Northants v Gloucs & Warks v Surrey

  • Champions Warwickshire have rain-affected first day v Surrey

  • Somerset bowled out for just 180 v Hampshire who close on 109-0 in reply

  • Alastair Cook and Nick Browne make centuries for Essex against Kent

  • Div Two: Glam v Dur, Leics v Worcs, Middlesex v Derbs & Sussex v Notts

  • Middlesex's Stevie Eskinazi first to make 100 this season

Live Reporting

Adam Williams and Ged Scott

  1. sun

    Weather watch

    What's the all-important weather forecast to greet the first day of the County Championship?

    Let's find out what the prospects are from the BBC Weather Centre.

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  2. Who's moved where?

    #bbccricket

    Phil SaltGetty Images

    Find out who's been on the move between the counties during the off-season with our comprehensive guide of each side's ins and outs.

    As well as new overseas signings, there's also information of who's been brought in to help with coaching and who's also extended their contracts.

    Read all about it right here.

  3. Who lines up in which division?

    Lancashire cellyGetty Images

    So as we finally get going with a format that was agreed upon pre-Covid-19 pandemic and based on how teams finished the 2019 season, we will once again have two divisions in 2022.

    But in a slight change from the previous iteration, it's now 10 teams in Division One and eight in Division Two:

    Division One:

    Essex, Gloucestershire, Hampshire, Kent, Lancashire, Northamptonshire, Somerset, Surrey, Warwickshire, Yorkshire.

    Division Two:

    Durham, Derbyshire, Glamorgan, Leicestershire, Middlesex, Nottinghamshire, Sussex, Worcestershire.

  4. What's returned and who should you watch out for in 2022?

    After a couple of seasons of tinkered formats in four-day cricket, the County Championship returns this season to something a little like familiarity.

    Meanwhile some new names and some not-so-new names will hope to play key roles in chasing promotion and silverware for their respective counties.

    BBC Sport's Dan Wheeler has taken a closer look at what the key points are for the season ahead and you can read all about it by clicking or tapping on the link below.

    Your essential guide to the County Championship

    After two years of Covid-related changes, BBC Sport highlights what to look out for as the County Championship returns to normality.

    Read More

  5. Opening round fixtures

    #bbccricket

    Here's the eight matches to kick-off the 2022 campaign over the next four days:

    Division One:

    Chelmsford: Essex v Kent

    Ageas Bowl: Hampshire v Somerset

    Northampton: Northamptonshire v Gloucestershire

    Edgbaston: Warwickshire v Surrey

    Division Two:

    Sophia Gardens: Glamorgan v Durham

    Leicester: Leicestershire v Worcestershire

    Lord's: Middlesex v Derbyshire

    Hove: Sussex v Nottinghamshire

  6. Welcome back for another season

    Last year, the 2021 County Championship started like this....

    Grace RoadPA Media

    and nearly six months later, it ended like this....

    Warwickshire win 2021 County ChampionshipPA Media

    It seems baffling that this time last year, crowds were still not allowed back in to watch games as Covid-19 restrictions remained in place.

    But Warwickshire's sun-kissed title victory on the last day of the season in late September was mercifully accompanied by a roaring home crowd as the gates were opened for free to make up for the months fans had had to go without seeing county cricket live.

    After a winter of discontent you could say for the national men's team in Test cricket, it's time for the County Championship to return and hopefully restore smiles to the faces of ardent cricket followers.

    Welcome along and indeed welcome back for 2022 to BBC Sport's live radio and text coverage for another season of hopefully thrills and spills.