County Cricket Explained
A complete guide to English county cricket: the 18 counties, the County Championship, Vitality Blast, and how county cricket feeds the England national team.
County cricket is England and Wales's domestic first-class cricket system, organised by the ECB and contested by 18 first-class counties. The County Championship dates to 1890 and produces the vast majority of England's Test players.
The 18 Counties
- Northern: Durham, Lancashire, Nottinghamshire, Yorkshire
- Midlands: Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire, Warwickshire, Worcestershire
- Eastern: Essex, Kent, Middlesex, Surrey, Sussex
- Western: Gloucestershire, Hampshire, Somerset
- Plus Glamorgan (Wales)
County Championship
The County Championship is played over four days across two divisions — Division One (eight counties) and Division Two (ten). Promotion and relegation operate between divisions at season end. Points: Win=16, Draw=8, plus batting and bowling bonus points from the first 110 overs.
T20 and One-Day Competitions
- Vitality T20 Blast: the major domestic T20 competition with north/south groups and finals day at Edgbaston
- Metro Bank One-Day Cup: 50-over domestic competition
- The Hundred: 100-ball franchise competition separate from county cricket but featuring county players
County Cricket and the England Test Team
County cricket serves as the primary feeder pathway for England's Test team. Selectors draw heavily from Division One performers — consistent hundreds and five-wicket hauls are the standard route to a Test call-up. Counties use the Dukes ball, which swings more than the Kookaburra used in most overseas Tests, closely mimicking Test conditions.
Frequently asked questions
Can overseas players play county cricket?
Yes. Counties can register overseas players under ECB regulations. They must be released when called up to their national teams. The number of overseas players a county can field simultaneously is regulated by the ECB.
How does promotion work in county cricket?
The top county in Division Two at the end of the season is promoted to Division One. The bottom county in Division One is relegated. The ECB has changed the exact rules several times — the precise format for the current season is published in ECB's domestic regulations.