County Championship matches start after rain delays

Matches in the County Championship opened on Friday with several games affected by rain. Kent announced that Zak Crawley would sit out the next two matches to rest after a difficult period with the county side. A statement from the county said the break would allow him to focus on T20 cricket through the end of the Vitality Blast.

One games listed for the day included Leicestershire against Essex at Grace Road, Nottinghamshire against Somerset at Trent Bridge, Sussex against Glamorgan at Hove, and Yorkshire against Warwickshire at Scarborough. Division Two matches set to begin were Durham against Derbyshire at Chester-le-Street, Lancashire against Kent at Blackpool, Northamptonshire against Gloucestershire at Northampton, and Worcestershire against Middlesex at New Road.

Rain delayed the start at Blackpool, with reports indicating no play until after lunch. A live stream of a memorial service for former Hampshire batsman Robin Smith was scheduled for 2 p.m. at Winchester Cathedral. England players could face an alcohol ban during the upcoming Test series, according to separate reporting referenced in the coverage.