We are now approaching the one‑month mark of the County Championship, and despite a flood of big scores from a host of England Test hopefuls, the picture for the national side's opening partnership remains hazy. The season has offered a mixed bag of performances, leaving selectors to weigh a range of candidates as they prepare for the upcoming Test series against New Zealand. One of the most scrutinised names is Zak Crawley, whose start to the Division Two campaign with Kent has been underwhelming. In the most recent match, Crawley managed only 27 and 31 as Kent suffered an innings defeat at the hands of Worcestershire.
His current Championship average sits at a modest 19.66, with a top score of just 31 from six innings. Unless he produces a dramatic turnaround in the remaining fixtures, his chances of reclaiming a spot in the England Test XI look increasingly slim.
By contrast, fellow opener Ben Duckett has been making a stronger case for himself. After a period of off‑field turbulence during his stint in Australia, Duckett responded with a 93 against Warwickshire while representing Nottinghamshire. That knock lifted his season average to 45.25 and suggests he may still be the preferred opening option for the Test side, provided he continues to deliver in Nottinghamshire's remaining three games before the first Test.
Adding further pressure to the selection dilemma are several in‑form county batsmen. Somerset wicket‑keeper James Rew has been a revelation at the number‑four slot, accumulating 337 runs at an impressive 75.07 average in Division One, second only to England’s current keeper Jamie Smith.
Rew’s consistent scoring has sparked debate about whether he should be thrust into the England lineup, perhaps even displacing established middle‑order players such as Jacob Bethell, Joe Root, Harry Brook or captain Ben Stokes. Emilio Gay, another rising star, has been knocking on the door after a spectacular 128 on debut for Durham against Kent and a recent unbeaten 159 against Lancashire, which helped Durham chase down a target of 336 with eight wickets to spare. Gay’s strike‑rate of 73.36 demonstrates his ability to score quickly, a trait that aligns with England head coach Brendon McCullum’s preference for an aggressive top order. His average of 86 in Division Two further bolsters his credentials, making him a serious contender for a Test opening berth.
Former England internationals Dom Sibley and Dan Lawrence have also resurfaced with significant scores for Surrey. Sibley posted 101 and Lawrence 125 in a high‑scoring draw against Essex, reminding selectors that both still possess the skill set required at the highest level.
Their performances could provide additional depth and flexibility for England’s top‑order selections if they maintain this form. The spinner’s slot is equally contested. Shoaib Bashir, who struggled to break into the England side during the Ashes and was omitted from the England Lions’ 0‑113 loss to Australia A, appears to be regaining confidence at county level. Representing Derbyshire, Bashir has taken nine wickets in three Championship matches, including a four‑for against Lancashire.
While his recent form is promising, many argue that a summer away from international pressure could aid his development. Rehan Ahmed, another highly‑rated young spinner, has opted to skip the remainder of the county season to join the Delhi Capitals in the IPL.
This decision means he will miss valuable red‑ball practice at a crucial time, potentially weakening his case for a Test call‑up, especially when he must compete with seasoned Indian spinners Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel for a place in the IPL side. Will Jacks faces a similar dilemma, having chosen the IPL over his county duties with Surrey.
Though his batting across formats remains solid, his recent struggles with the ball in Australia cast doubt on his suitability as a frontline spinner for England. Veteran off‑spinner Jack Leach, who was the third‑most successful wicket‑taker in the 2025 Championship, has started this campaign slowly, claiming just four wickets at an average of 46.75. Former England all‑rounder Liam Dawson has also had a modest start, taking six wickets at 49.00. The scarcity of standout spin options underscores the challenges the selectors face.
With just over a month remaining before England launch their summer Test series against New Zealand, the next three rounds of the County Championship will be pivotal. Performances in these matches could cement or derail a player's chances of earning a Test cap. Recent results highlight the competitive landscape: - At Cardiff, Glamorgan posted 440 and 137‑2 (Tribe 67*) to draw with Leicestershire, who declared on 586‑7 (Tattersall 112, Weatherald 104* ret hurt, Cox 68*). - At Trent Bridge, Warwickshire made 459 (Barnard 165, Booth 70, Woakes 64, Tongue 5‑124) and drew with Nottinghamshire, who declared on 537‑7 (Hameed 115, Verreynne 115, Duckett 93, Clarke 82).
- At the Oval, Essex compiled 409 and 302‑2 dec (Westley 136, Elgar 107*) to draw with Surrey's 472 (Lawrence 125, Sibley 101). - At Headingley, Sussex posted 502 and 324‑8 (Clark 93, Coles 53, Robinson 41*) to draw with Yorkshire's 511 (Bean 105, Whiteman 101, Root 96).
- At Derby, Gloucestershire declared on 498 (Hammond 145) and bowled out Derbyshire for 281 and 252, winning by ten wickets. - At Chester‑le‑Street, Durham's 295 and 336‑2 (Gay 159*, Bedingham 129*) secured an eight‑wicket victory over Lancashire. - At New Road, Worcestershire's 447 forced Kent to follow on, resulting in an innings and two‑run win. These fixtures not only provide entertainment for fans but also serve as a proving ground for those hoping to wear the England shirt.
As the season progresses, every run, wicket and partnership will be dissected by pundits and selectors alike, shaping the final composition of the Test side that will take the field against New Zealand later this summer.