The commencement of the County Championship 2023 introduced its storyline within the esteemed cricket grounds of England and Wales, initiating the 123rd installment of this revered tournament1. The aforementioned tournament, which has evolved into an emblematic representation of the highest quality of cricket within the region, embarked upon its inception in the year 1890, elevating its prestige and importance with the progression of each subsequent season.
The commencement of the 2023 County Championship season in England and Wales coincided with the arrival of spring, captivating ardent cricket enthusiasts from April 6 to September 29.
County Championship 2023 Venues
Division One Grounds:
| Primary Home Ground | City |
|---|---|
| County Ground | Chelmsford |
| Rose Bowl | Southampton |
| St Lawrence Ground | Canterbury |
| Old Trafford | Manchester |
| Lord’s | London |
| County Ground | Northampton |
| Trent Bridge | Nottingham |
| County Ground | Taunton |
| The Oval | London |
| Edgbaston | Birmingham |
Division Two Grounds:
| Primary Home Ground | City |
|---|---|
| County Ground | Derby |
| Riverside Ground | Chester-le-Street |
| Sophia Gardens | Cardiff |
| County Ground | Bristol |
| Grace Road | Leicester |
| County Ground | Hove |
| New Road | Worcester |
| Headingley | Leeds |
Teams
Division One Teams:
| Team | Primary Home Ground | Captain | Coach |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essex | County Ground, Chelmsford | England Tom Westley | England Anthony McGrath |
| Hampshire | Rose Bowl, Southampton | England James Vince | South Africa Adi Birrell |
| Kent | St Lawrence Ground, Canterbury | England Sam Billings | England Matt Walker |
| Lancashire | Old Trafford, Manchester | England Keaton Jennings | England Glen Chapple |
| Middlesex | Lord’s, London | England Toby Roland-Jones | England Richard Johnson |
| Northamptonshire | County Ground, Northampton | England Luke Procter | England John Sadler |
| Nottinghamshire | Trent Bridge, Nottingham | England Steven Mullaney | England Peter Moores |
| Somerset | County Ground, Taunton | England Tom Abell | England Jason Kerr |
| Surrey | The Oval, London | England Rory Burns | England Gareth Batty |
| Warwickshire | Edgbaston, Birmingham | England Will Rhodes | England Mark Robinson |
Division Two Teams:
| Team | Primary Home Ground | Captain | Coach |
|---|---|---|---|
| Derbyshire | County Ground, Derby | South Africa Leus du Plooy | South Africa Mickey Arthur |
| Durham | Riverside Ground, Chester-le-Street | England Scott Borthwick | Australia Ryan Campbell |
| Glamorgan | Sophia Gardens, Cardiff | Wales David Lloyd | England Matthew Maynard |
| Gloucestershire | County Ground, Bristol | South Africa Graeme van Buuren | South Africa Dale Benkenstein |
| Leicestershire | Grace Road, Leicester | England Lewis Hill | England Paul Nixon |
| Sussex | County Ground, Hove | India Cheteshwar Pujara | England Paul Farbrace |
| Worcestershire | New Road, Worcester | England Brett D’Oliveira | England Alan Richardson |
| Yorkshire | Headingley, Leeds | Pakistan Shan Masood | Barbados Ottis Gibson |
The County Championship of 2023 is an amalgamation of exceptional cricketing expertise, intricately entwined with the enduring allure of historic cricket venues spanning England and Wales. Division One presents a harmonious amalgamation of traditional and contemporary cricket venues, each serving as a testimony to the rise and fall of iconic figures in the sport. The esteemed venues of The Oval in London, hosting Surrey, and Old Trafford in Manchester, serving as the bastion of Lancashire, represent more than just cricket grounds; they hold revered status as institutions where the significance of cricket extends far beyond being a mere sport.
The core of these arenas is comprised of the cricket teams, which serve as a reflection of both the historical traditions and present-day abilities within the sport. Teams such as Essex and Hampshire, whose home grounds are located at County Ground in Chelmsford and Rose Bowl in Southampton respectively, embody a heritage steeped in the traditions and historical significance of the sport of cricket. The captains and coaches, regarded as exemplars of professional expertise, assume the leadership role as their teams fervently compete for triumph amidst the serene atmosphere of the English solar rays.
Division Two, although not as prominently featured, reflects the essence of competition that is embedded within the Championship. Sophia Gardens in Cardiff and Headingley in Leeds serve as the respective arenas where teams such as Glamorgan and Yorkshire engage in heated competitions to claim supremacy. Every individual game contributes to the ongoing heritage of the Championship, representing the embodiment of cricket’s essence in England and showcasing exceptional sporting prowess.
Fixtures and Results
Division One
| Date | Teams | Match Result & Score |
|---|---|---|
| April 06-08 | HANTS vs. NOTTS | Hampshire won by 8 wickets |
| April 06-09 | SURR vs. LANCS | Match drawn |
| April 06-09 | SOM vs. WARKS | Match drawn |
| April 06-09 | ESSEX vs. MIDDX | Essex won by 97 runs |
| April 06-09 | NHNTS vs. KENT | Kent won by 7 wickets |
| April 13-16 | WARKS vs. KENT (f/o) | Warwickshire won by an innings and 14 runs |
| April 13-16 | HANTS vs. SURR (T:243) | Surrey won by 9 wickets |
| April 13-16 | NOTTS vs. SOM (T:295) | Notts won by 165 runs |
| April 13-16 | LANCS vs. ESSEX (T:340) | Match drawn |
| April 13-16 | MIDDX vs. NHNTS (T:119) | Northants won by 7 wickets |
| April 20-23 | NOTTS vs. MIDDX (T:249) | Middlesex won by 4 wickets |
| April 20-23 | SOM vs. LANCS | Match drawn |
| April 20-22 | HANTS vs. NHNTS (f/o) | Hampshire won by an innings and 270 runs |
| April 20-23 | ESSEX vs. KENT (342/7) | Match drawn |
| April 27-29 | KENT vs. MIDDX (T:86) | Middlesex won by 9 wickets |
| April 27-29 | WARKS vs. SURR (T:11) | Surrey won by 9 wickets |
| May 04-07 | HANTS vs. WARKS (410/8d) | Warwickshire won by an innings and 84 runs |
| May 04-07 | LANCS vs. NOTTS (T:295) | Match drawn |
| May 04-07 | NHNTS vs. SOM (412) | Match drawn |
| May 04-07 | ESSEX vs. SURR (T:273) | Match drawn |
| May 11-13 | ESSEX vs. WARKS (T:100) | Warwickshire won by 4 wickets |
| May 11-14 | SOM vs. LANCS | Match drawn |
| May 11-14 | MIDDX vs. SURR (T:70) | Surrey won by 9 wickets |
| May 11-13 | NHNTS vs. NOTTS (T:295) | Notts won by an innings and 25 runs |
| May 11-14 | KENT vs. HANTS (373) | Match drawn |
| May 18-20 | HANTS vs. NHNTS (f/o) | Hampshire won by an innings and 135 runs |
| May 18-20 | KENT vs. SURR (T:58) | Surrey won by 10 wickets |
| May 18-20 | SOM vs. MIDDX (f/o) | Somerset won by an innings and 13 runs |
| May 18-21 | ESSEX vs. NOTTS (T:219) | Match drawn |
| June 11-14 | HANTS vs. LANCS | Lancashire won by 6 wickets |
| June 11-14 | ESSEX vs. SOM | Essex won by 196 runs |
| June 11-14 | WARKS vs. NOTTS (f/o) | Match drawn |
| June 11-14 | KENT vs. SURR | Surrey won by 5 wickets |
| June 25-27 | HANTS vs. MIDDX (f/o) | Hampshire won by an innings and 61 runs |
| June 25-28 | NHNTS vs. KENT | Kent won by an innings and 15 runs |
| June 25-28 | LANCS vs. SURR | Lancashire won by 123 runs |
| June 25-27 | ESSEX vs. WARKS (f/o) | Essex won by 9 wickets |
| June 25-27 | SOM vs. NOTTS | Somerset won by 399 runs |
| July 10-13 | SURR vs. NOTTS | Match drawn |
| July 10-13 | NHNTS vs. MIDDX | Match drawn |
| July 10-12 | KENT vs. WARKS | Warwickshire won by an innings and 46 runs |
| July 10-13 | SOM vs. HANTS (f/o) | Match drawn |
| July 10-13 | ESSEX vs. LANCS | Essex won by 46 runs |
| July 19-22 | LANCS vs. WARKS | Match drawn |
| July 19-21 | HANTS vs. NOTTS | Hampshire won by 116 runs |
| July 19-22 | SURR vs. MIDDX (f/o) | Surrey won by 8 wickets |
| July 19-22 | KENT vs. ESSEX | Essex won by 7 wickets |
| July 19-21 | SOM vs. NHNTS (f/o) | Somerset won by 9 wickets |
| July 25-27 | HANTS vs. ESSEX | Essex won by 6 wickets |
| July 25-27 | WARKS vs. MIDDX | Middlesex won by 8 wickets |
| July 25-28 | NHNTS vs. LANCS | Match drawn |
| July 25-28 | NOTTS vs. KENT | Notts won by 321 runs |
| July 25-27 | SOM vs. SURR | Surrey won by 10 wickets |
| September 03-06 | HANTS vs. SOM | Hampshire won by 185 runs |
| September 03-05 | SURR vs. WARKS | Surrey won by an innings and 97 runs |
| September 03-06 | NHNTS vs. LANCS | Lancashire won by an innings and 26 runs |
| September 04-06 | ESSEX vs. MIDDX | Essex won by 297 runs |
| September 10-13 | KENT vs. NOTTS | Match drawn |
| September 10-13 | NHNTS vs. WARKS | Warwickshire won by 2 wickets |
| September 10-12 | MIDDX vs. LANCS (f/o) | Match drawn |
| September 10-13 | HANTS vs. SURR | Surrey won by 8 wickets |
| September 10-13 | ESSEX vs. KENT (T:30) | Essex won by 7 wickets |
| September 19-22 | NHNTS vs. SURR (f/o) | Match drawn |
| September 19-22 | MIDDX vs. WARKS (T:58) | Warwickshire won by 8 wickets |
| September 19-22 | LANCS vs. NOTTS | Match drawn |
| September 19-22 | ESSEX vs. HANTS (T:267) | Hampshire won by 3 wickets |
| September 19-22 | SOM vs. KENT (f/o) | Match drawn |
| September 26-29 | SOM vs. WARKS (f/o) | Match drawn |
| September 26-29 | MIDDX vs. NOTTS (T:207) | Notts won by 2 wickets |
| September 26-29 | HANTS vs. SURR (T:185) | Hampshire won by 52 runs |
| September 26-29 | LANCS vs. KENT | Match drawn |
| September 26-28 | NHNTS vs. ESSEX (f/o) | Northants won by an innings and 39 runs |
Division Two
| Date | Teams | Match Result & Score |
|---|---|---|
| Apr 06 - Apr 09 | SUSSEX vs DURHAM | Sussex won by 2 wkts |
| Apr 06 - Apr 09 | GLAMORGAN vs GLOUCESTERSHIRE | Match drawn |
| Apr 06 - Apr 09 | DERBYSHIRE vs WORCESTERSHIRE | Worcestershire won by 8 wkts |
| Apr 06 - Apr 09 | YORKSHIRE vs LEICESTERSHIRE | Leicestershire won by 3 wkts |
| Apr 13 - Apr 16 | GLOUCESTERSHIRE vs YORKSHIRE | Match abandoned without a ball bowled (No toss) |
| Apr 13 - Apr 16 | DURHAM vs WORCESTERSHIRE | Durham won by 121 runs |
| Apr 13 - Apr 16 | LEICESTERSHIRE vs DERBYSHIRE | Match drawn |
| Apr 20 - Apr 23 | SUSSEX vs YORKSHIRE | Match drawn |
| Apr 20 - Apr 23 | GLAMORGAN vs DURHAM | Match drawn |
| Apr 20 - Apr 23 | WORCESTERSHIRE vs GLOUCESTERSHIRE | Match drawn |
| Apr 27 - Apr 30 | GLOUCESTERSHIRE vs SUSSEX | Match drawn |
| Apr 27 - Apr 30 | LEICESTERSHIRE vs GLAMORGAN | Match drawn |
| Apr 27 - Apr 30 | DURHAM vs DERBYSHIRE | Durham won by an innings and 7 runs |
| May 04 - May 07 | YORKSHIRE vs GLAMORGAN | Match drawn |
| May 04 - May 07 | DERBYSHIRE vs LEICESTERSHIRE | Match drawn |
| May 04 - May 07 | WORCESTERSHIRE vs SUSSEX | Match drawn |
| May 11 - May 14 | DURHAM vs YORKSHIRE | Durham won by 1 wkt |
| May 11 - May 14 | DERBYSHIRE vs GLOUCESTERSHIRE | Match drawn |
| May 11 - May 14 | GLAMORGAN vs WORCESTERSHIRE | Glamorgan won by 10 wkts |
| May 11 - May 14 | LEICESTERSHIRE vs SUSSEX | Match drawn |
| May 18 - May 21 | SUSSEX vs GLAMORGAN | Match drawn |
| May 18 - May 21 | WORCESTERSHIRE vs LEICESTERSHIRE | Worcestershire won by 3 wkts |
| May 18 - May 21 | GLOUCESTERSHIRE vs DURHAM | Durham won by 125 runs |
| Jun 11 - Jun 14 | DURHAM vs GLAMORGAN | Match drawn |
| Jun 11 - Jun 14 | GLOUCESTERSHIRE vs LEICESTERSHIRE | Leicestershire won by 5 wkts |
| Jun 11 - Jun 14 | DERBYSHIRE vs YORKSHIRE | Yorkshire won by 3 wkts |
| Jun 11 - Jun 14 | SUSSEX vs WORCESTERSHIRE | Match drawn |
| Jun 25 - Jun 28 | LEICESTERSHIRE vs DURHAM | Match drawn |
| Jun 25 - Jun 28 | WORCESTERSHIRE vs DERBYSHIRE | Match drawn |
| Jun 25 - Jun 28 | YORKSHIRE vs GLOUCESTERSHIRE | Match drawn |
| Jun 25 - Jun 28 | GLAMORGAN vs SUSSEX | Match drawn |
| Jul 10 - Jul 13 | SUSSEX vs DERBYSHIRE | Match drawn |
| Jul 10 - Jul 13 | WORCESTERSHIRE vs YORKSHIRE | Match drawn |
| Jul 10 - Jul 13 | DURHAM vs GLOUCESTERSHIRE | Durham won by 9 wkts |
| Jul 10 - Jul 13 | GLAMORGAN vs LEICESTERSHIRE | Match drawn |
| Jul 19 - Jul 22 | LEICESTERSHIRE vs WORCESTERSHIRE | Worcestershire won by 100 runs |
| Jul 19 - Jul 22 | DERBYSHIRE vs DURHAM | Match drawn |
| Jul 19 - Jul 22 | YORKSHIRE vs SUSSEX | Match drawn |
| Jul 20 - Jul 23 | GLOUCESTERSHIRE vs GLAMORGAN | Match drawn |
| Jul 25 - Jul 28 | DERBYSHIRE vs GLAMORGAN | Match drawn |
| Jul 25 - Jul 28 | YORKSHIRE vs DURHAM | Match drawn |
| Jul 26 - Jul 29 | GLOUCESTERSHIRE vs WORCESTERSHIRE | Worcestershire won by 110 runs |
| Sep 03 - Sep 06 | DURHAM vs SUSSEX | Durham won by 7 wkts |
| Sep 03 - Sep 06 | LEICESTERSHIRE vs GLOUCESTERSHIRE | Leicestershire won by 8 wkts |
| Sep 03 - Sep 06 | YORKSHIRE vs DERBYSHIRE | Yorkshire won by 277 runs |
| Sep 03 - Sep 06 | WORCESTERSHIRE vs GLAMORGAN | Worcestershire won by 80 runs |
| Sep 10 - Sep 13 | GLAMORGAN vs YORKSHIRE | Match drawn |
| Sep 10 - Sep 13 | SUSSEX vs LEICESTERSHIRE | Sussex won by 15 runs |
| Sep 10 - Sep 13 | GLOUCESTERSHIRE vs DERBYSHIRE | Match drawn |
| Sep 19 - Sep 22 | LEICESTERSHIRE vs YORKSHIRE | Match drawn |
| Sep 19 - Sep 22 | WORCESTERSHIRE vs DURHAM | Match drawn |
| Sep 19 - Sep 22 | DERBYSHIRE vs SUSSEX | Match drawn |
| Sep 26 - Sep 29 | SUSSEX vs GLOUCESTERSHIRE | Sussex won by 339 runs |
| Sep 26 - Sep 29 | YORKSHIRE vs WORCESTERSHIRE | Yorkshire won by 6 wkts |
| Sep 26 - Sep 29 | DURHAM vs LEICESTERSHIRE | Durham won by an innings and 141 runs |
| Sep 26 - Sep 29 | GLAMORGAN vs DERBYSHIRE | Match drawn |
Points Table
Division One
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | L | T | D | Bat | Bowl | Ded | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Surrey (C) | 14 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 27 | 41 | 0 | 216 |
| 2 | Essex | 14 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 25 | 39 | 0 | 196 |
| 3 | Hampshire | 14 | 8 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 18 | 39 | 3 | 192 |
| 4 | Warwickshire | 14 | 6 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 22 | 41 | 0 | 179 |
| 5 | Lancashire | 14 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 10 | 29 | 35 | 1 | 161 |
| 6 | Nottinghamshire | 14 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 6 | 18 | 39 | 0 | 151 |
| 7 | Somerset | 14 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 7 | 25 | 40 | 0 | 148 |
| 8 | Kent | 14 | 2 | 7 | 0 | 5 | 20 | 34 | 0 | 111 |
| 9 | Middlesex (R) | 14 | 3 | 9 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 39 | 1 | 104 |
| 10 | Northamptonshire (R) | 14 | 2 | 8 | 0 | 4 | 10 | 34 | 0 | 96 |
Division Two
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | L | T | D | Bat | Bowl | Ded | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Durham (P) | 14 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 54 | 39 | 2 | 233 |
| 2 | Worcestershire (P) | 14 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 21 | 36 | 0 | 167 |
| 3 | Sussex | 14 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 10 | 29 | 39 | 16 | 150 |
| 4 | Leicestershire | 14 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 7 | 25 | 35 | 0 | 143 |
| 5 | Glamorgan | 14 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 12 | 29 | 34 | 0 | 139 |
| 6 | Derbyshire | 14 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 10 | 25 | 38 | 0 | 113 |
| 7 | Yorkshire | 14 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 8 | 31 | 35 | 50 | 109 |
| 8 | Gloucestershire | 14 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 7 | 23 | 35 | 0 | 98 |
FAQ
How many teams are relegated from the County Championship in 2023?
Which county has won the most county championships?
How does the County Championship work?
What is the County Championship in England?
Conclusion
The County Championship of 2023, regarded as a significant milestone in the history of English cricket, showcased a compelling tale rich in sportsmanship, strategic maneuvering, and a timeless passion for the game that permeates the lush and thriving cricket grounds of England. The resonant collision between the willow bat and leather ball reverberated throughout the rural districts, as different counties engaged in a long-standing competition. The promotion and relegation system, commonly referred to as the “two up, two down” system, persistently formed the foundation of a dynamic framework, presenting opportunities for advancement while also constituting a high-stakes demotion scenario, encompassing the core essence of competitiveness.
The unfolding season provided spectators with a unique opportunity to gain insights into the historical significance and present-day vitality of county cricket. The 2023 season was characterized by a continuous pursuit of points, skillful strategic battles, and the development of exceptional cricketing abilities, elements that intricately intertwined to create a multifaceted and compelling narrative. The Championship represented more than just a competition; it served as a manifestation of the longstanding cricketing values and principles that have formed the essential foundation of English cricket. Every delivery bowled and every stroke of the bat showcased a deep reverence for the illustrious history of the County Championship, while also signifying a progressive step towards its promising future.