Seven out of the nine County Championship games due to start on the opening day of the English domestic season were unable to start on time after heavy rain across the country over the last few days.
Edgbaston and Lord’s were the only two grounds able to start their matches on time, with Warwickshire vs Worcestershire kicking off the Division One competition, and Middlesex vs Glamorgan starting in Division Two. While most areas of the country are dry today, there has been heavy rainfall over the last couple of days and overnight, waterlogging outfields.
The delay to the start of matches has heightened frustrations over the domestic schedule. Four rounds of the Championship are set to take place before May, with an early April start now an annual feature of the competition. Only two rounds of the Championship will take place across June and July, with eight taking place before the end of May.
On the first day of the 2024 English domestic season, only two of the nine County Championship matches have been able to start on time.#CountyChampionship2024 pic.twitter.com/aViDAHvKR2
— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) April 5, 2024
Two fixtures in Division One declared no play was possible on day one early in the day, Durham vs Hampshire at Chester-le-Street, and Lancashire vs Surrey at Old Trafford. Kent vs Somerset is yet to start in Canterbury. However, play was able to start after a short delay at Trent Bridge, with Essex batting against Nottinghamshire.
No play has been able to start anywhere apart from Lord’s in Division Two, with Derbyshire vs Gloucestershire already called off for the day.
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