England Test stars Zak Crawley and Jamie Smith gear up for Friday’s 2026 County Championship openers. Crawley anchors Kent’s top order in their Division Two clash against Durham. Smith keeps wicket for Surrey in a Division One battle at Warwickshire’s Edgbaston.
Both featured in all five Ashes Tests this winter, where Australia triumphed 4-1. Crawley notched two fifties but averaged 27.30 as opener. Smith managed 23.44 with the bat while adapting to gloves duty.
Ollie Pope, dropped mid-series from number three, joins Smith’s Surrey squad. All aim to shine individually in the domestic kickoff. Seam bowler Matt Potts, who debuted in Sydney’s final Test, bolsters Durham and eyes Crawley.
Yorkshire’s Joe Root and Harry Brook, plus Nottinghamshire’s Ben Duckett and Josh Tongue, skip the opening weekend. Captain Ben Stokes heals from a broken cheekbone and eyes a Durham return next month. Will Jacks, Brydon Carse, and Jacob Bethell chase IPL dreams.
