We are now approaching the one‑month mark of the 2026 County Championship, and the performances of a host of England Test hopefuls are still leaving the selectors with more questions than answers. The battle for places in the top order is intensifying, with several players either fighting to retain their spots or making a strong case for a call‑up.
Opener Zak Crawley, who has been under intense scrutiny since his under‑whelming Ashes displays last winter, has yet to find form for Kent in Division Two. In the most recent match, Kent suffered an innings defeat at the hands of Worcestershire, and Crawley contributed modest scores of 27 and 31.
His current Championship average sits at a paltry 19.66, with a highest score of just 31 from six innings. Unless he produces a dramatic turnaround in the coming weeks, his chances of re‑entering the England squad appear slim.
Ben Duckett, the other regular opener, has responded positively. After a turbulent spell in Australia that saw him grapple with both on‑field and off‑field issues, Duckett posted a commanding 93 for Nottinghamshire in a high‑scoring draw against Warwickshire.
That innings lifted his season average to 45.25 and has helped restore some confidence among the England selectors that he still belongs in the Test side. However, he now faces the pressure of replicating that form in Nottinghamshire's remaining three Championship fixtures before the first Test against New Zealand. Among the emerging county performers, Durham’s Emilio Gay is attracting particular attention. Gay opened the season with a blistering 128 against Kent and followed it up with an unbeaten 159 against Lancashire, guiding Durham to a successful chase of 336.
His current average of 86 in Division Two and a strike‑rate of 73.36 suggest he can adapt to the aggressive style of play favoured by England head coach Brendon McCullum. If Gay continues to deliver big scores, he could become a serious contender for an opening slot. Wicket‑keeper James Rew has also entered the conversation. Playing for Somerset, Rew has amassed 337 runs at an average of 75.07 in Division One, placing him third on the run‑scoring list behind only England’s Jamie Smith.
Rew’s usual position is at number four, but his consistency has sparked debate about whether he should be promoted higher in the order. Former England captain Michael Atherton highlighted this dilemma on the Sky Sports Cricket podcast, wondering if Rew could be slotted at three while moving regulars such as Jacob Bethell further down the lineup.
Former England internationals Dom Sibley and Dan Lawrence have shown flashes of their old selves for Surrey. In a high‑scoring draw against Essex, Sibley recorded a century (101) and Lawrence posted 125. Their performances provide the selectors with additional top‑order depth, although both players will need to sustain this level of output to force a recall.
The spinner’s slot remains equally contentious. Shoaib Bashir, once a fringe England candidate, has found a vein of form at Derbyshire, claiming nine wickets in three Championship matches, including a four‑for against Lancashire.
Nevertheless, his lack of recent international exposure and a disappointing Ashes tour have left his future uncertain. Rehan Ahmed, a highly‑rated 21‑year‑old leg‑spinner, could have been a strong alternative, but he has opted to join the Delhi Capitals in the IPL, effectively missing a crucial month of red‑ball cricket. This decision places him behind established county spinners such as Will Jacks, who is currently prioritising the IPL over Surrey, and veteran left‑arm orthodox spinner Jack Leach, whose early‑season figures (four wickets at 46.75) are far from compelling.
The next three rounds of the Championship will be pivotal. A string of strong performances could cement a player’s place, while a slump could see them fall out of contention entirely.
Below is a snapshot of the matches played between Friday 24 April and Monday 27 April, which have already produced several noteworthy individual feats: - At Cardiff, Glamorgan posted 440 (Crane 99, Carlson 95, Dickson 90) and 137‑2 declared, while Leicestershire replied with 586‑7 declared (Tattersall 112, Weatherald 104 retired hurt, Cox 68*). - At Trent Bridge, Warwickshire made 459 (Barnard 165, Booth 70, Woakes 64, Tongue 5‑124) and drew with Nottinghamshire, who scored 279 and then 537‑7 declared (Hameed 115, Verreynne 115, Duckett 93, Clarke 82; Webster 2‑55).
- At The Oval, Essex compiled 409 (Walter 101) and 302‑2 declared (Westley 136, Elgar 107*; Atkinson 1‑12), drawing with Surrey’s 472 (Lawrence 125, Sibley 101; Harmer 3‑69). - At Headingley, Sussex posted 502 (Simpson 136, Price 93, Haines 64) and 324‑8 (Clark 93, Coles 53, Robinson 41*; Root 3‑67), while Yorkshire replied with 511 (Bean 105, Whiteman 101, Root 96, Coles 3‑138). - At Derby, Gloucestershire made 498 (Hammond 145) and 39‑0, beating Derbyshire’s 281 and 252 (f/o) (Montgomery 74; Bell 3‑44) by ten wickets. - At Chester‑le‑Street, Durham’s 295 and 336‑2 (Gay 159*, Bedingham 129*) secured an eight‑wicket victory over Lancashire’s 370 (Harris 146 and 260‑9 declared; Coughlin 100*; Raine 3‑50).
- At New Road, Worcestershire posted 447 (D'Oliveira 90, Hose 70) and defeated Kent’s 196 and 249 (Benjamin 77, Taylor 5‑56) by an innings and two runs. These results underline the depth of talent available across the counties and illustrate why the England selection panel faces such a complex puzzle. The top‑order battle is not merely about raw numbers; it also involves assessing temperament, adaptability to different conditions, and the ability to perform under the pressure of an imminent Test series against New Zealand.
As the summer approaches, the stakes will only rise. Players like Duckett and Gay must continue to deliver big scores, while Crawley will need a dramatic resurgence to stay relevant.
Meanwhile, the spinner’s role may be filled by Bashir, Ahmed (if he returns from the IPL), or another emerging county bowler. The final composition of England’s Test XI will likely hinge on how these individuals navigate the remaining County Championship fixtures, and whether they can convince the selectors that they possess the skill and consistency required at the highest level.