Hampshire are aiming to maintain their position as early LV= County Championship Division Two pacesetters against Derbyshire.
Having drawn with Worcestershire in a rain-ruined season opener, Jimmy Adams’ side eased to an impressive eight-wicket over Gloucestershire.
Hampshire will be without Adam Wheater, who injured his hand last week and has been replaced by Michael Bates, while David Balcombe and Danny Briggs are included in the squad.
Derbyshire succumbed to a tense defeat against Essex in their first encounter, yet will aim to get back on track at the County Ground.
Essex, on the other hand, will attempt to make it two wins from two versus Surrey.
The home side again can call upon England skipper Alastair Cook, who struck a fine 181 versus Derbyshire.
Surrey have Jade Dernbach available after he was rested for their season opener, yet Vikram Solanki continues to miss out for personal reasons.
Graeme Smith’s side lost their opening game, succumbing to a 10-wicket home loss against a Glamorgan side who will host Gloucestershire.
The visitors will be buoyed by the return of seamer Ian Saxelby.
Saxelby, fit having been suffering from shoulder, knee and quad issues, claimed six wickets for the second XI this week and is raring to go.
Kent have rested James Tredwell for their home clash with Leicestershire.
Tredwell has been given time away from the first team to work on “technical modifications”, paving the way for youngster Adam Riley to earn a spot in the squad.
Leicestershire will open their account without new boy Dan Redfern and Shiv Thakor.
Redfern broke his finger earlier this week, while Thakor continues his recovery from a similar issue.
LV= County Championship Facts:
- Essex have won three and drawn one of their last five championship visits to the Kia Oval.
- Glamorgan have won their last four home championship matches against Gloucestershire, having drawn the preceding four.
- Derbyshire’s victory in their last home championship match against Hampshire in September 2012 was their first in seven attempts in this fixture (lost five, drawn one).
- Kent have not lost any of their last six home championship matches against Leicestershire, winning two and drawing four.
- Leicestershire have not won any of their last 24 away championship matches, last triumphing on the road in their final game of 2010, at Northamptonshire.
- In 2013 Glamorgan had just three larger championship partnerships than the unbroken 156 put on by Gareth Rees and Will Bragg in the victory against Surrey last week.