The County Cricket Podcast · thecountycricketpodcast

2025 County Championship Round Two Review Show

·1 hr 16 min·4 clips

Warwickshire won by one wicket after being 90 for 5 at lunch.

Aaron opens the episode with Joe Nuttall and Matt for the round-two County Championship review. The mood is upbeat right away, because the panel feels the first two rounds have already given the season some proper shape. They call the week one of the best they've had in a long time, then get into the results. Somerset are examined first, with the panel saying they were thoroughly outplayed by Sussex and were second best throughout the match. That criticism is softened only a little by James Rew showing flashes of class in the first innings and Tom Abell making a brilliant 96 in the second. The bigger point is that Somerset have not started April well. The panel says that is typical of them, but also warns that a slow beginning can leave them chasing the season if other teams get off to a fast start. Sussex, by contrast, are praised for putting together a cohesive performance and taking the match cleanly. From there the show moves to Hampshire's trip to Surrey at the Oval. The conversation focuses on whether the draw should be seen as a good outcome for Surrey or Hampshire, and the panel leans toward Hampshire being happier, especially because it is framed as their first draw at the Oval since 2019. That makes the result feel like more than a routine stalemate, because it becomes a sign of resilience away from home. The discussion also notes that both sides had periods where they controlled play on different days, which keeps the review balanced rather than one-sided. As the episode moves toward the close, the panel uses the league table to widen the lens beyond individual matches. Sussex sit top, Kent are in third, Derbyshire are in fourth, Lancashire are in fifth, Northamptonshire and Gloucestershire are level, Glamorgan are in seventh, and Middlesex are bottom. Round three is then brought into view, with Somerset's meeting with Hampshire singled out as an early crucial fixture. The episode finishes in the same county-chat rhythm it has kept throughout, with Aaron, Joe and Matt thanking listeners and signing off after a full week of Championship talk.

As heard by us

A grounded round-two county championship review, anchored by Sussex, Somerset, Hampshire, and the standings.

This round-two county championship review keeps its eye on the early-season table without getting lost in it. Sussex's win over Somerset, Hampshire's draw at the Oval, and the points table at the end give it a clear frame, while Tom Abell's 96 and James Rew's flashes keep the…

Read the full review in PlayNext →

Why you'd press play

Round-two county context, not just the scoreline.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

Listen to the show on

Apple Podcasts Spotify

Play clips from this episode More from The County Cricket Podcast