The early stages of the 2025 County Championship have delivered plenty of drama, with unexpected results and surprising performances shaking up the Division One table. While teams like Warwickshire, Sussex, and Nottinghamshire have impressed, the more fancied sides like Surrey, Essex, and Somerset are still searching for their first win of the season.
Warwickshire’s victory over Durham highlighted the unpredictable nature of county cricket. The Bears chased down a challenging target of 339, with Ethan Bamber sealing the win with a thrilling six. Durham had posted a strong first-innings total of 387, thanks to Ben McKinney’s steady 100 and Taz Ali’s four-wicket haul. Warwickshire’s response was teetering at 124-5, but a resolute partnership between Ed Barnard, Kai Smith, and Michael Booth gave them the platform to push for the win. The chase became tense, but Bamber’s late heroics made for a fitting conclusion to a match filled with twists and turns.
Sussex, the newly-promoted side, continue to impress in Division One. Their dominant 260-run victory over Somerset at Hove further solidified their position at the top of the table. Sussex’s batting was led by former captain Tom Haines, who made a superb 141, followed by Daniel Hughes, who scored 91. John Simpson, the Sussex captain, showed his form with an undefeated century in his second consecutive match. Somerset fought hard in both innings but were ultimately overwhelmed by Sussex’s skill and discipline, with left-arm seamer Sean Hunt adding five wickets across both innings. Somerset, on the other hand, will be disappointed with the performances of their star players, including Tom Banton, who could only manage a duck and six in his two innings.
Yorkshire’s victory over Worcestershire was another story of resilience, with Jonny Bairstow leading his team to a dominant 500-plus run win. The match had sentimental value for Bairstow, as he took on full-time captaincy at the ground where his father had captained the team four decades earlier. Bairstow’s men were unrelenting, as their pace attack led by Ben Coad, George Hill, and Jordan Thompson decimated Worcestershire’s batting. The visitors’ meager 267 in response to Yorkshire’s mammoth total of 771-14 was a dismal performance, and it will be a long road ahead for Worcestershire, who now find themselves in a difficult position heading into their next matches.
Meanwhile, at The Oval, Surrey’s early-season struggles continued, despite a pitch that was expected to yield plenty of runs. Dom Sibley was the standout with a pair of centuries, carrying his bat in both innings. However, despite his efforts, Surrey failed to convert their chances and were forced to settle for a draw against Hampshire. With a bowling attack featuring seasoned pros like Kemar Roach and Matt Fisher, Surrey would have expected more from themselves, and their inability to get over the line in a match that promised much will raise concerns for the remainder of the season.
Kent, despite their perfect record, sit just behind Leicestershire in the Division Two table due to bonus points. Their latest win came against Middlesex, who had put up a strong challenge. Kent, having been in trouble at 79-6 in their first innings, turned the match around thanks to contributions from Harry Finch and Grant Stewart, who added 101 for the seventh wicket. The chase in the fourth innings was then anchored by a blistering knock from Zak Crawley, who was dropped early before finding his rhythm. Ben Compton also continued his solid form, adding an undefeated century. Tawanda Muyeye, a player to watch, also contributed an explosive knock, showcasing the talent that could see him in an England shirt soon.
Lancashire’s draw with Northamptonshire was another display of resilience, with Josh Bohannon once again proving his worth with a match-saving century. With Northants setting a lead of 268, Lancashire faced a tricky task, but their top order, led by Bohannon, managed to bat out the day. Northamptonshire’s decision not to enforce the follow-on proved costly as they were unable to break the Lancashire resistance. The match ended in a draw, but Bohannon’s heroics were vital in ensuring his team earned valuable points.
These early season matches have proven that Division One is wide open, with unexpected performances and upsets shaping what could be a thrilling race to the title.
