County Championship Preview- Games starting on Thursday 5th May

Another round of eagerly anticipated County Championship matches starts on Thursday.

In Division One, leaders Surrey are up against winless Northamptonshire at the Kia Oval.

Surrey have won two and drawn four of their opening six matches so far and will be hoping for a better pitch than they experienced at Bristol in their recent championship game. On a flat wicket that saw only twelve wickets fall in four days and over 1,000 runs scored, the game was never going to be anything other than a draw.

Northamptonshire will be looking to break their duck after three successive draws including a draw against Essex in their last championship match last weekend.

Second-placed Hampshire will go into their game against Gloucestershire at the Ageas Bowl only eight points behind Surrey.

The weather ruined what could have been a fascinating last day against Lancashire at the Ageas Bowl in a game that could have gone either way.

Gloucester, like Northamptonshire, are still awaiting their first win of the campaign, having lost two and drawn two of their four matches played.

Third-placed Lancashire, who are unbeaten in their three games so far, take on Warwickshire at Old Trafford.

Warwickshire will be licking their wounds after suffering a recent heavy defeat against Somerset at Taunton by an innings and 82 runs.

The final match in division one sees Essex up against Yorkshire at Chelmsford.

The Tykes came out the better of their recent game against Kent at Headingly whilst Essex had to follow on against Northamptonshire at Chelmsford, but a battling second innings performance ensured the game was drawn.

In Division Two, leaders Nottinghamshire are already looking like the team to beat. Having already won three games out of their four played, they are leading the way at the top of the table by eight points from Derbyshire.

Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire miss out on the current round of championship matches, so it will give a chance for the chasing pack to cut the gap on the top two.

Third-placed Middlesex will start the next round of matches 14 points behind Notts but on the back of two successive victories.

Last weekend they defeated Leicestershire inside three days at Lords by ten wickets. On Thursday they travel to Hove to face Sussex who are still to record their first win of the championship.

At Cardiff, Glamorgan are up against Leicestershire. The East Midland County are still yet to open their account this campaign having drawn twice and lost their two other fixtures.

Glamorgan were involved in a thrilling final day against Derbyshire at Derby and were left 21 runs short of their target with eight wickets down.

In Division two’s only other game, Worcestershire face Durham at Worcester. The home side will be looking to bounce back to winning ways after suffering a five-wicket defeat to Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge last weekend.

Durham, have still yet to record a victory, having three draws and a defeat in their opening four games.

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