The Toss: Reigning Champions Face Perennial Nearly Men to Begin Campaign

Nottinghamshire begin 2026 as the team to beat as they travel down to the Southwest to begin their campaign. Somerset, so often in the mix but never on that top spot will be hoping that this year is different.

As the old adage goes, you never change a winning team, and Nottinghamshire will have an almost identical squad this week to the one that begin their successful 2025 campaign. Haseeb Hameed remains at the reigns, and, alongside partner Ben Slater or potentially Ben Duckett, they arguably constitute the strongest opening pair in the County Championship. Backed up by a strong middle order and bowling attack, Nottinghamshire once again look like they’ll provide a stern test to any opposition.

A strong outing against Loughborough UCCE was followed by a less convincing display against Middlesex in pre-season for the visitors, who will need to make a strong start if they want to challenge Surrey for the title again this year. It is certainly not the easiest opening week for them, with Somerset finishing in third place in 2025, and this game could become highly significant come crunch time in September.