The new County Championship season will start earlier than ever before, with the first clashes being held on Thursday, April 5.

The champions, Lancashire will begin the defence of their title on April 12 against Sussex at Aigburth, following a contest against the MCC in Abu Dhabi on March 27.

The Liverpool ground will be home to a number of Lancashire's meetings next season, including matches against Warwickshire, Middlesex and Somerset.

The Clydesdale Bank 40 will commence on May 4, while the FL Twenty20 will get underway on June 12.

Opening CC matches:

Division One

Surrey vs. Sussex
Notts vs. Worcestershire
Somerset vs. Middlesex

Division Two

Yorkshire vs. Kent
Leicestershire vs. Glamorgan
Derbyshire vs. Northants
Essex vs. Gloucestershire