Essex kick off Trophy campaign

A new-look Friends Provident Trophy heralds the start of the 2009 domestic one-day season, with the competition split into four groups of five teams.

Defending champions Essex were drawn alongside Glamorgan, Lancashire, Derbyshire and Northamptonshire in Group D, kicking off the new campaign with a match against the Steelbacks at Chelmsford on April 19.

Fellow 2008 finalists Kent have to wait a further week to be in 50-over action, taking on Somerset away at Taunton in what could be a tough encounter in Group B, which also includes Warwickshire, Scotland and Middlesex.

Essex will be aiming to defend their one-day title in the new-look Friends Provident Trophy of 2009

Scotland and Ireland will also be in action that Sunday, facing up to Middlesex and Worcestershire respectively, as they aim to cause an upset.

Ireland did not win a game last season, and will be hoping to put that right against at least one of Worcestershire, Hampshire, Nottinghamshire or Leicestershire in Group A.

A mouth-watering encounter in Group C between Sussex and Surrey is scheduled for Sunday May 10 at Hove, with Chris Adams returning to his old stomping ground as professional cricket manager for their rivals.

The return encounter is at the Brit Oval on May 19, with Surrey taking on Yorkshire the following day.

Gloucestershire and Durham are the other teams in Group C.

The quarter-finals are set for Saturday May 23, with the semi-finals six weeks later on Sunday July 5.

The showpiece final is at Lord's on Saturday July 25.