THE TOSS
The captain of the away team in championship matches can now cancel the toss and opt simply to bowl first in a new trial. Or if they want to “have a bat”, to use the traditional captain’s argot, the toss goes ahead as normal and they see how the coin comes down. The hope is that counties will be less inclined to produce seam-friendly “result” pitches, giving spinners more of a chance later in the game and fewer rewards for medium-pacers exploiting a green top.
THIRD TIME LUCKY?
Yorkshire are aiming to become the first team since, er, Yorkshire from 1966-68 to win three consecutive County Championships. Since Jason Gillespie arrived as coach before the 2012 season they have lost four of their 64 matches. Impressive.
EVE OF A NEW ERA
The Second Division contest will be hot – only one team will be promoted. Two will be relegated from the First Division to leave an eight-team top flight next season and 10 in the Second Division.
WOMEN’S KIA SUPER LEAGUE
A new Twenty20 competition launches on 30 July with six women’s teams: Lancashire Thunder, Loughborough Lightning (based at Loughborough University), Southern Vipers (Hampshire), Surrey Stars, Western Storm (Somerset), Yorkshire Diamonds. England players have been allocated to teams. Charlotte Edwards plays for the Vipers. The round-robin group stage runs until 14 August; the top four qualify for finals day in Chelmsford on 21 August.
NEW SPONSORS, NEW NAMES
Specsavers now sponsor the County Championship. Ground names continue to mystify – yes, Cooper Associates County Ground (Taunton) and The 1st Central County Ground (Hove), we’re looking at you – but cheerily Emirates Durham ICG has become the more palatable Emirates Riverside.
KEY DATES FOR THE 2016 SEASON
MEN’S CALENDAR
Today Championship begins
19-23 May First Test v Sri Lanka, Headingley
20 May T20 Blast begins
27-31 May Second Test v SL, Emirates Riverside
5 June Royal London Cup begins
9-13 June Third Test v SL, Lord’s
21, 24, 26, 29 June, 2 July ODIs v SL
5 July T20 v SL
14-18 July First Test v Pakistan, Lord’s
22-26 July Second Test v Pak, Old Trafford
3-7 Aug Third Test v Pak, Edgbaston
11-15 Aug Fourth Test v Pak, the Kia Oval
20 Aug T20 Blast finals day, Edgbaston
24, 27, 30 Aug, 1, 4 Sept ODIs v Pak
7 Sept T20 v Pak, Old Trafford
17 Sept Royal London Cup final, Lord’s
23 Sept County Championship ends
WOMEN’S CALENDAR
20, 22, 27 June ODIs v Pakistan
3, 5, 7 July T20s v Pak
30 July Kia Super League begins
21 Aug Super League finals day, Chelmsford
