Is the County Championship sport’s most competitive league right now?

Jordan Cox bats for Essex in their win against Leicestershire. Photograph: John Mallett/ProSports/ShutterstockView image in fullscreenJordan Cox bats for Essex in their win against Leicestershire. Photograph: John Mallett/ProSports/ShutterstockGuardian Sport NetworkCounty ChampionshipIs the County Championship sport’s most competitive league right now? Essex have are top at the halfway mark but another seven counties are within striking distance By the 99.94 Cricket BlogGary NaylorTue 16 Jun 2026 12.55 BSTLast modified on Tue 16 Jun 2026 13.09 BSTSharePrefer the Guardian on Google1. Essex hit the heightsIf you’re the form side in the country, the confidence that brings can overcome setbacks like a stone skimming across a pond. Essex illustrated that point by easing to a six-wicket win over Leicestershire, whose admirable spirit is unlikely to keep them in the top flight.They started well, Ben Green knocking over both openers, but that only brought Essex’s Jordan Cox to crease, keen for time in the middle after a frustrating IPL and with a Test debut imminent. He scored a maiden double century and was promptly replaced by Michael Pepper as England decided that was probably enough.Nick Kelly provided the only resistance from the home side with six Essex bowlers sharing the wickets, so they could not have been surprised to find themselves back out in the middle as Tom Westley enforced the follow-on. As is so often the case, it was more of a struggle second time round, with Lewis Hill’s century anchoring a stout Leicestershire effort right down the card.A target of 215 is certainly well inside tricky territory, but the mark of a good side is the ability to find someone to step up. Cue tall Paul Walter (as with tall Dan Burn, the adjective is obligatory) with a ton, allowing his team to return down the M1 with 23 points in the bag.2. Coles on a hot streak as Sussex win againThe table never lies – or so they say – but Essex have not been the best team in the first half of...