Summary
The 2026 County Championship cricket season is starting, involving 18 teams in the competition. Some teams are setting new expectations, like Derbyshire, who had a strong previous season, and others like Durham, aiming to bounce back after relegation.
Key Facts
- The County Championship features 18 cricket teams.
- Derbyshire finished third in Division Two last season.
- Derbyshire signed Pakistan's Mohammad Abbas and England's Shoaib Bashir for the new season.
- Derbyshire batsman Matt Montgomery joined the team permanently.
- Luis Reece from Derbyshire took the most wickets in Division Two last season.
- Durham was relegated to Division Two after poor performance last year.
- Durham’s coach, Ryan Campbell, signed a new two-year contract despite the team's relegation.
- David Bedingham returns to Durham after injury and international duty interrupted his 2025 season.
