Michael Bates, one of Hampshire’s match-winners in last year’s Lord’s final, is in line for a recall as the Royals start to defend their 40-over title versus Essex at Chelmsford.

Emirates Old Trafford will host over 3,000 schoolchildren from the North West of England on day two of Lancashire's LV= County Championship match against Essex on May 8.

Emirates Old Trafford will host over 3,000 schoolchildren from the North West of England on day two of Lancashire's LV= County Championship match against Essex on May 8.

Essex recovered from a perilous position to beat Hampshire on another day of exciting LV= County Championship action during which several England players, including Jonathan Trott and Ian Bell, prospered.

Graham Napier inspired a magnificent and unexpected Essex victory by four wickets over Hampshire in their LV= County Championship Division Two match at Chelmsford.

Durham gave themselves every chance of claiming their second LV= County Championship win of the season after dominating the third day against Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge where Mark Wood starred with bat and ball.

Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow both made big three-figure scores as Yorkshire piled on the runs in their LV= County Championship match against Derbyshire.

Jonathan Trott and Ian Bell stepped up their preparations for England's hectic summer with half-centuries to put Warwickshire in a strong position on the first day of their LV= County Championship match against Sussex.

Lancashire's England seamer James Anderson took three wickets but Glamorgan had the better of a bowler-dominated first day of their LV= County Championship Division Two clash at Colwyn Bay.

Gloucestershire recovered from 46 for five to claim a narrow advantage in their Division Two clash with Leicestershire at Grace Road.

Kent suffered a dramatic last-session collapse in seemingly ideal batting conditions to be bowled out on the opening day of their LV= Championship clash against Northamptonshire for a modest 271.

Lord's is set for a £200million makeover after MCC announced a multi-phase 'masterplan' that is expected to take 13 years to complete.

Middlesex’s James Harris, this winter’s highest-profile transfer, has been ruled out of the London derby with Surrey at Lord’s, which starts on Thursday.

Warwickshire have confirmed Oliver Hannon-Dalby sustained a broken arm while batting to save the LV= County Championship game against Somerset at Taunton last week.

Chesney Hughes fell four runs short of equalling Derbyshire’s highest first-class score on a day of typically competitive LV= County Championship action.

Chesney Hughes came agonisingly close to breaking a Derbyshire record set in the 19th century before Yorkshire responded with a worthy batting effort of their own at Headingley.

Will Smith defied Nottinghamshire's bowlers to remain undefeated on 119 as Durham reached 297 for six on the second day of their LV= County Championship Division One match at Trent Bridge.

Essex’s LV= County Championship Division Two clash with Hampshire remained in the balance despite Graham Napier and David Masters impressing on the second day at Chelmsford.

Benny Howell claimed career-best figures of 5-57 as Gloucestershire dismissed Leicestershire for 250 on the opening day of their LV= County Championship Division Two game at Grace Road.

The England & Wales Cricket Board has launched a cryptic image of famous and not-so-well known cricketing terms - "#WHATZAT" - which challenges fans to work out 50 clues.