The stars are coming out for the first day-night round of fixtures in the Specsavers County Championship later this month.
In announcing the squad for England’s NatWest T20 International series against South Africa, the selectors have confirmed that several all-format players have been rested to allow them to gain experience of playing with the pink Dukes balls that will be used for the historic Investec Test against West Indies at Edgbaston in August.
That means England’s new Test captain Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow will both be available for Yorkshire’s Division One Championship fixture against Surrey at Headingley.
Jimmy Anderson is on course to make his comeback from a groin injury for Lancashire against Warwickshire at Edgbaston.
Alastair Cook, who has already played such a significant part in Essex’s successful return to the top tier, will face the new pink ball in their home game against champions Middlesex at The Cloudfm County Ground in Chelmsford.
And in Division Two, Moeen Ali is set to face England team-mates Ben Stokes and Mark Wood when Worcestershire play Durham at the Emirates Riverside – while Jake Ball can rejoin Stuart Broad in the Nottinghamshire attack against promotion rivals Kent at Trent Bridge.
Andrew Strauss, the ECB’s director of England cricket, said: “The day-night round in the Specsavers County Championship was arranged partly to allow our England players the opportunity to gain some relevant experience ahead of the day-night Test at Edgbaston.
“But we also think it’s a concept that will boost the profile of the Championship, and hopefully the availability of so many of our England players to play for their counties will help in that regard.”
Play in all nine of the matches will begin at 2pm on Monday June 26, with a late lunch interval at 4pm, and tea scheduled at 6.40pm, although it could be later depending on the over rate.
Specsavers County Championship, Day-Night Round, 26-29 June
Division One
Essex v Middlesex
Hampshire v Somerset
Warwickshire v Lancashire
Yorkshire v Surrey
Division Two
Durham v Worcestershire
Glamorgan v Derbyshire
Northamptonshire v Leicestershire
Nottinghamshire v Kent
Sussex v Gloucestershire