The Fans Have Spoken
Another County Championship season has come and gone, and as always, the debates over who deserves recognition have been fierce. During the final round of the 2026 campaign, CricketMates readers joined fans across the country in casting their votes for the team of the season — picking two openers, three middle-order batters, a wicketkeeper, two all-rounders, two pace bowlers, and a spinner. The results make for compelling reading, and in several categories it was genuinely tight. Here's how your XI shapes up, and my take on the choices.
The Openers: Vasconcelos and McKinney Set the Tone
Ricardo Vasconcelos of Northants claimed 38% of the vote to earn his place at the top of the order, and it's difficult to argue with that. The left-hander was the standout performer in Division Two, amassing 1,159 runs and six centuries across the season. The frustrating footnote is that despite his brilliance, Northants narrowly missed out on promotion — a reminder that individual excellence doesn't always translate into team success. It's the sort of season that will keep Vasconcelos firmly on the radar of the odds-compilers should he make the step up to Division One cricket next year.
Alongside him, 21-year-old Ben McKinney announced himself to county cricket in style. His career-best 244 against Gloucestershire in just the second match of the season was a statement of intent, and he backed it up with 1,044 runs at an average exceeding 50. At his age, with those numbers, expect his name to start appearing in England Lions conversations before long.
Middle Order: Clarke, Abell and Bedingham Dominate
Joe Clarke finished as the leading run-scorer in the entire country with 1,288 runs, including four centuries and six half-centuries. Despite Nottinghamshire's failure to retain the Championship title, Clarke's personal form was relentless. Tom Abell went one better in terms of individual innings, producing what was the highest score of the season by any batter — a magnificent 307 against Surrey. That knock helped him finish with 1,287 runs at an average of 71.5, extraordinary figures by any standard.
Completing the middle order, David Bedingham continued his fine relationship with Durham cricket, passing 1,000 first-class runs for the county for a fourth time. The South African will return to Durham next season when they come back up to Division One, and at these prices, he looks a banker for another productive campaign.
Wicketkeeper: Bracey Edges a Photo Finish
The closest contest of the lot saw Gloucestershire's James Bracey shade Somerset's James Rew by a single percentage point, with 44% of the vote. Bracey's case rested on 1,096 runs, five hundreds, 23 catches, and two stumpings — all while his side propped up Division Two. That he produced those figures in a struggling team makes it all the more impressive, and supporters clearly recognised that.
All-Rounders: Overton Leads the Way
Somerset's Craig Overton took 44% of the vote in the all-rounder category, cementing his status as one of the most reliable performers in county cricket. Overton's ability to contribute meaningfully with both bat and ball season after season is a quality that England selectors have long admired.
What a season it has been. The 2026 County Championship has produced some exceptional individual performances, and your team of the season reflects a campaign full of runs, drama, and no shortage of talking points. Roll on 2027.
