It's Harmer time at Essex

The Kolpak offspinner has played a big role in Essex making it to the top of the Championship table

'I think people now understand bowling is a very difficult task'

Jade Dernbach focuses on the Royal One-Day Cup final while keeping one eye on an England comeback

Is Samit moving towards the summit?

Samit Patel's rich vein of form has left him wondering if he is a better player than he ever imagined - not a bad mindset before a Lord's one-day final. By Jon Culley

Does pink-ball cricket have a future in England?

What kind of cricket will the pink ball promote? And will it attract fans to the stadium? Melinda Farrell and George Dobell discuss

English cricket needs to embrace legspin again

Mark Nicholas: One of our sport's most captivating arts has been allowed to languish on the margins of county cricket for far too long

The hills are alive with the sound of county cricket

April is here: time for cricket to signal a season of renewal amid the sunshine and the smell of fresh-mown grass. By Mark Nicholas

Grounded, rounded and hungry for more

Will Macpherson: Middlesex have focused on creating the right environment to help sustain their on-field success

'I think we can be in the top four this season'

Kim Barnett, Derbyshire's new director of cricket, has high ambitions for the county and wants players to take greater responsibility. By David Hopps

Collingwood looks up from the bottom

Jon Culley: With a 48-point deficit against their name, Durham have their work cut out in Division Two this year. Their captain knows it's going to be a slog

'It gets a bit annoying - quarter-finals, semi-finals, out'

Ravi Bopara talks about Essex's prospects of winning limited-overs silverware this year, and his aspirations of playing for England again

One day, six grounds - can they cover it?

Ebony Rainford-Brent and Dan Norcross take up our challenge to commentate in six county grounds in a day

How's county cricket doing?

You may suspect, as ever, that it is dying. You may not be entirely right. By Elizabeth Ammon | The Cricket Monthly April issue

County previews: Division Two

Notts, Sussex among leading contenders

Durham penalty leaves mountainous task

County previews: Division One

Can Middlesex hold off chasing pack?

Yorkshire, Surrey pose major threat

Is winter coming to Yorkshire?

David Hopps: The proudest of English cricket's counties is looking at dark days ahead

The regional threat to Durham's academy lifeline

David Hopps: As Durham rebuild from near-bankruptcy, their thriving county academy - a source of pride - might be in jeopardy

Data and cricket

Northants' T20 nous a tribute to Moneyball

Wigmore: A study of an underdog's triumph

County ins and outs

Keep up to date with all the player movements ahead of the 2017 season

Hampshire's six seasons in the sun

Freddie Wilde on the rise and fall of the English club's T20 dynasty | The Cricket Monthly November issue

The two big mistakes that led to Durham's demise

All Out Cricket: How the county turned from a feel-good story into a failed experiment

How far can Surrey's Currans go?

Right-arm quick Tom and skillful young allrounder Sam have what it takes to get to the highest level

Jennings wrestles with Durham dilemma

Keaton Jennings must decide whether to remain with Durham after their demotion to Division Two as he pursues an England career in his adopted homeland

Durham must be saved and rebuilt

Mark Nicholas: It is difficult to be sure that the punishment of relegation fit Durham's crime, but the points penalty is too harsh on the players and supporters