County Cricket 2011 / Features

Presenting the county awards for 2011

Sep 21, 2011: First-class cricket in England has been bright-eyed and rosy-cheeked for the last few seasons. And the one just concluded was truly special

County cricket

A triumph against the odds

Sep 16, 2011: With no money and no major home ground, Lancashire battled against the tide to secure their first Championship title in 77 years

Somerset v Essex, Clydesdale Bank 40, Taunton

Scrapping their way into the semis

Aug 30, 2011: It's grand when you can watch a game without the aid of Alexandre Dumas, isn't it?

County cricket 2011

The eternal squatter

Aug 29, 2011: After more than 20 years on the county circuit, Paul Nixon is leaving the game on a high

India in England 2011

Grounded Buttler confident he can succeed

Aug 26, 2011: Jos Buttler's thoughtful manner is at odds with the dynamic, explosive brand of batting that has turned heads on the county scene for the last two seasons and has now led to further honours in the international arena

Countyscape

County cricket should be celebrated

Aug 26, 2011: It's only fair that the county game receives some of the praise for its part in England's success story. The Championship to provide the foundations for the international side

Loss of identity, but it's the new way

Aug 9, 2011: County cricket doesn't have a transfer system but it may not be far away as more players are being enticed to new clubs

Hampshire v Nottinghamshire, Rose Bowl, 4th day

A travesty of a pitch inspection

Jul 24, 2011: The guiding principle of Law 7 with regard to pitch preparation is simple: conditions should be as similar as possible for both sides throughout the match - and there can be no argument that this has not been achieved

County cricket

An uneven playing field

Jul 20, 2011: The ECB have agreed to end the English season early to open a window for the Champions League but is it right given they have no stake in the event?

County news

'The game is in a bit of a mess, really'

Jul 8, 2011: As we pass the halfway point of the county year, George Dobell talks to four county coaches about the key features of the season so far

Surrey v Somerset, Friends Life t20, The Oval

No carnage and no Mexican Wave

Jun 30, 2011: Pollard disappointed, but there was a Dilscoop, and sitting at The Oval on a summer's evening is its own reward

Kent v Surrey, Friends Life t20, Beckenham

'This is our summer'

Jun 26, 2011: The Railways ditched and the queues were long, but Kent and Surrey's fans enjoyed the cricket and dealt with all the inconveniences with humour

County cricket

Not all well with Twenty20

Jun 18, 2011: The Friends Life t20 is well under way, but crowds are not flocking to the action which raises question about how the ECB have managed the format

Surrey v Essex, Friends Life t20, The Oval

A case of mistaken identity

Jun 13, 2011: Lime-green clothing can confuse one, can't it? And who's more fun - fans of Surrey or Essex?

Surrey v Glamorgan, Friends Life t20, The Oval

When Caesar was booed

Jun 10, 2011: And other tales from the rained-out game between Surrey and Glamorgan

County cricket

Shankargate: how did it happen?

Jun 2, 2011: A look into Adrian Shankar's past, and at Northamptonshire's success

The end of innocence?

May 9, 2011: The ECB needs to trust its product if the very sanctity of cricket in the country is to be preserved against the ever-encroaching demands of international cricket

Are you sitting uncomfortably?

May 4, 2011: A curious signing by Nottinghamshire and an impending court case for Giles Clarke have left some tricky questions needing answers

Youth flourishes, but where's the experience?

Apr 20, 2011: It's been a thrilling start to the county season, but do the fluctuating standards and performances suggest an underlying weakness in the competition?

Surrey v Nothamptonshire, The Oval, County Championship

Viva Vaasy

Apr 10, 2011: The county championship's off to a good start, and there are even snazzy new hand dryers in the toilets at The Oval