COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISION TWO: ROUND SEVEN PREVIEW

In-form Kent host struggling Durham at Canterbury

Kent v Durham, Canterbury

Kent

Form: WDWWW

Previous result: Kent 369 and 298 for 2; Sussex 164 and 356 – Kent won by 147 runs, Tunbridge Wells

One to watch: Yasir Shah is set to make his Championship debut for Kent. The Pakistan leg spinner caused havoc against England last summer, taking 10 wickets at Lord’s becoming the No.1 ranked Test bowler at the time.

Squad: Sam Northeast*, Daniel Bell-Drummond, Mitch Claydon, Matt Coles, Joe Denly, Sean Dickson, Will Gidman, Matt Hunn, Adam Rouse†, Yasir Shah, Darren Stevens, Joe Weatherley

Durham

Form: LLLDL

Previous result: Durham 166 and 376; Northamptonshire 338 and 205 for 8 – Northamptonshire won by two wickets, Chester-le-Street

One to watch: Durham have endured a bleak season so far in the Championship but one note of encouragement is Cameron Steel. The 21-year-old provided some much needed resilience last time out against Northamptonshire en route to his maiden first-class century.

Squad: Paul Collingwood, Graham Clark, Stephen Cook, Paul Coughlin, George Harding, Keaton Jennings, Gavin Main, Barry McCarthy, Matthew Potts, Stuart Poynter†, Ryan Pringle, Michael Richardson, Chris Rushworth, Cameron Steel

Did you know?

• In five first-class innings against Durham, Sam Northeast’s highest score is nine. This comes at an average of 5.20.

^{Yasir Shah will play four Championship matches for Kent}

Gloucestershire v Nottinghamshire, Bristol

Gloucestershire

Form: LDWL

Previous result: Nottinghamshire 430 for 9d; Gloucestershire 149 and 231 – Nottinghamshire won by an innings and 50 runs, Trent Bridge

One to watch: Cameron Bancroft is a well-respected name back home in Australia but is yet to really set these shores alight. But a busy 53 – his first fifty in Championship cricket - against Nottinghamshire suggested Bancroft might finally be starting to get the hang of the Dukes.

Squad: (To follow)

Nottinghamshire

Form: DWDWW

Previous result: Nottinghamshire 229 and 349; Derbyshire 363 and 190 for 5 – Match drawn, Trent Bridge

One to watch: Steven Mullaney has arrived for the summer. After an indifferent start against Glamorgan, Mullaney ripped through Gloucestershire – taking five for 32 – and in the most recent game against Derbyshire he showed his class with the bat, hitting 76 and 62.

Squad: (To follow)

Did you know?

• Nottinghamshire wicketkeeper Chris Read is 13 away from reaching 16,000 first-class runs.

Leicestershire v Sussex, Grace Road

Leicestershire

Form: DDDLL

Previous result: Leicestershire 619 and 217 for 3d; Derbyshire 533 and 42 for 0 – Match drawn, Derby

One to watch: Ned Eckersley hit a career-best 158 in the previous round against Derby and is already nearing 500 runs for the season. But it is Eckersley’s strike rate of 81.19 which is turning heads as in a four-day environment scoring runs quickly can be vital.

Squad: (To follow)

Sussex

Form: WLWLL

Previous result: Sussex 589 for 8d; Worcestershire 312 and 260 – Sussex win by an innings and seven runs, Hove

One to watch: Luke Wells has had a rather good time recently. Following his mammoth 258, the Sussex batsman played a wonderful knock of 155 to hand Worcestershire their first defeat of the season.

Squad: (To follow)

Did you know? Sussex have not lost to Leicestershire in 15 years, their last defeat coming at Grace Road in 2002.

Northamptonshire v Derbyshire, Northampton

Northamptonshire

Form: WLLWW

Previous result: Durham 166 and 376; Northamptonshire 338 and 205 for 8 – Northamptonshire won by two wickets, Chester-le-Street

One to watch: Highly rated youngster Max Holden justified the excitement that surrounds him as he patiently scored his maiden first-class century against Durham. On loan from Middlesex, Holden will be desperate to return to his parent club with plenty of runs under his belt to give the selectors something to think about.

Squad: (To follow)

Derbyshire

Form: DDLLL

Previous result: Nottinghamshire 229 and 349; Derbyshire 363 and 190 for 5 – Match drawn, Trent Bridge

One to watch: Jeevan Mendis is demonstrating just how valuable he is to Derbyshire this summer, taking 24 wickets so far at 28.33. But it is his ability to hold up an end that is most remarkable – against Leicestershire the Sri Lankan bowled 52.3 overs for his six wickets but at a cost of 204 runs.

Squad: (To follow)

Did you know?

• Billy Godleman is currently in the form of his life, but history is not kind to the Derbyshire captain against Northamptonshire. In five first-class matches he averages only 13.88.

Worcestershire v Glamorgan, Worcester

Worcestershire

Form: LWWWW

Previous result: Sussex 579 for 8d; Worcestershire 312 and 260 – Sussex won by an innings and 7 runs, Hove

One to watch: Nathan Lyon has had a tough start to life in England – only taking more than one wicket in an innings once in six attempts. But his experience in the dressing room will be invaluable and any bowler who has taken 247 Test wickets should not be sniffed at, he is electric in the field also.

Squad: (To follow)

Glamorgan

Form: WDDLL

Previous result: Durham 342 and 276 for 7d; Glamorgan 353 and 266 for 7 – Glamorgan won by three wickets, Swansea

One to watch: Nick Selman made a name for himself with his final over heroics at Swansea and the 21-year-old is very dangerous once set at the crease. Of the six times he has passed 50, only twice has the opener not gone on to three figures.

Squad: (To follow)

Did you know?

• Daryl Mitchell has a higher average against Glamorgan (51.94) than against any other county. He has also scored four hundreds against the Welsh team.

Division Two table

Team	Played	Won	Lost	Drawn	Batting	Bowling	Points
Nottinghamshire	6	4	0	2	21	18	113
Kent	5	4	0	1	16	15	100
Worcestershire	5	4	1	0	18	13	95
Northamptonshire	5	3	2	0	10	15	73
Sussex	5	2	3	0	11	15	58
Glamorgan	5	1	2	2	10	14	50
Gloucestershire	4	1	2	1	6	9	36
Derbyshire	5	0	3	2	13	13	36
Leicestershire	5	0	2	3	18	11	28
Durham	5	0	4	1	9	13	-21