By Dom Harris
The second week of the 2025 Rothesay County Championship is already upon us after an absorbing opening set of fixtures.
Here, we highlight just some of the key takeaways and headlines to follow as the next round of action unfolds.
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Cause for optimism around the East Midlands
There has been little to shout about across the East Midlands in red ball cricket in recent years, with Nottinghamshire flirting with relegation in both seasons since their return to Division One in 2022, whilst Derbyshire and Leicestershire have failed to mount any sort of promotion challenge from the second tier.
However, the opening round of the new season may point towards a change of fortunes as all three sides secured convincing victories.
There was also a similar trend in all three results – a strong bowling effort in both innings either side of a significant total with the bat to set up a simple fourth innings chase.
With captain Haseeb Hameed, Ben Slater and Joe Clarke all scoring over 900 runs, it was Notts’ ability to take 20 wickets in a match which was very much their undoing in 2024 which made the return to fitness of Josh Tongue and debut performance by overseas recruit Fergus O’Neill particularly eye-catching in this regard.
They face a stern test against Essex at Trent Bridge this week, a side who comprehensively beat them twice last season, including dismissals for under 100 on both occasions.
Leicestershire vs Derbyshire
Neighbours Leicestershire and Derbyshire meet in a very early season top-of-the-table clash, with either side already able to surpass their tally of wins from last season with a victory at Grace Road.
The Foxes drew 10 of their 14 games last season in a solid but uninspiring mid-table finish.
With a reasonably stacked batting lineup on paper, it was a real lack of potency with the ball which prevented any hopes of a top two push – having only bowled out a side twice on one occasion – which made the bowling performance in Cardiff all the more promising.
Ian Holland claimed impressive match figures of 7-86, Ben Mike was also in the wickets and veteran Chris Wright featured having missed the first half of last season, with England wildcard Josh Hull and overseas Logan van Beek to add into the mix.
Meanwhile, there has been a distinct lack of progress at Derbyshire in three years under Mickey Arthur, finishing with the dreaded wooden spoon in 2024.
However, a dominant victory over Gloucestershire last week – their first opening round success for six years – will breed confidence and a belief around the club that they can be a competitive force this season.
Under the leadership of 2012 promotion-winning captain Wayne Madsen once again, Australian Caleb Jewell is already looking like a gem of an overseas signing at the top of the order which was severely lacking last year, whilst their impressive performance with the ball was without Kiwi Blair Tickner and youngster Harry Moore who will only provide more edge to their fast-bowling ranks.
Defending Champions look to get on the front foot
Much of the pre-season talk was around ‘who could stop Surrey?’, the leading force in red ball cricket over recent years.
Their quest for a fourth consecutive title faced a challenging start at Chelmsford though, where they were forced to follow-on after Essex piled on 582, before stubbornly batting out the final day to salvage a draw.
Satisfied with their efforts on what was a flat pitch, the season opener was a reminder if they needed one that their closest rivals will be challenging once again.
They return to the Oval on Friday where they won six out of seven games last season to face 2024 runners-up Hampshire, potentially with opening bowler Dan Worrall involved after sitting out against Essex.
Ben Foakes will be looking to build on his two half-centuries, but England duo Ollie Pope and Dan Lawrence will both be hoping they can make meaningful contributions as the International Test summer draws nearer.
As for Hampshire, they began their season with a comfortable five-wicket win over newly-promoted Yorkshire.
Even without Mohammad Abbas this year, their bowling attack still has the quality to cause every team problems but it remains to be seen if their batting unit without James Vince can perform consistently enough to sustain a title challenge – no greater test of that than a trip to South London.
Yorkshire aim to kickstart Division One return
It was a disappointing return to the top flight for Yorkshire after a batting collapse on the first day left them with a mountain to climb.
With a batting lineup possessing a blend of international pedigree and young talent, they will be hoping a return to Headingley will help facilitate a positive response, though all six fixtures at the ground in their promotion campaign ended in a draw and there will be a greater onus on the bowling to convert these draws into wins if they are to ensure their safety.
They face a resilient Worcestershire side full of belief and momentum following their impressive draw at Somerset after a damaging first two days.
Batters found form for the Pears in the second innings but the bowlers will be hoping for better fortune this week in what was a deflating 150 overs in the field.
With the two sides expected to be towards the foot of the table, this early-season contest could already be crucial as both search for precious Division One victories.
Darren Lehmann realises Northants challenge
One of the high-profile additions during the off-season was the arrival of former Australian head coach Darren Lehmann at Wantage Road.
This announcement triggered positivity ahead of the new campaign following a challenging return to Division Two last year, despite losing key players Emilio Gay and Jack White in the winter to Durham and Yorkshire respectively.
Stating “I hate draws” and promising an entertaining brand of cricket, Lehmann will not have enjoyed watching his new team be skittled twice by Kent inside 42 overs on home soil in the opening game as they were convincingly beaten by 145 runs.
Rob Keogh and George Bartlett both registered half centuries but Luke Proctor was the only other player to score more than 20 in either innings in a torrid game for the batters.
There were some positives with the ball, notably promising 20-year-old quick Raphael Weatherall taking six wickets in the match as he looks to establish himself in the red ball side.
It doesn’t get any easier for Lehmann either as he takes his side to Old Trafford this week to face promotion favourites Lancashire in what will be considered the most challenging fixture for all other Division Two outfits.
There will likely be one change to the lineup with Nottinghamshire’s leg spin all-rounder Calvin Harrison arriving on a two-game loan, though the batting lineup is expected to remain the same and be given the opportunity to put last week firmly behind them.
