2008 English cricket season
# 2008 English cricket season

The 2008 English cricket season was the 109th in which the County Championship had been an official competition. Four regular tournaments were played: The LV County Championship (first-class), Friends Provident Trophy (50 Over), NatWest Pro40 League (40 Over) and the Twenty20 Cup (T20). All four tournaments featured the eighteen classic county cricket teams, although the Friends Provident Trophy also featured sides from Ireland and Scotland.

In the county championship, Durham won their first championship title by 8 points from Nottinghamshire. Kent and Surrey were the two sides to be relegated to Division Two, with Surrey failing to register a win for the first time since 1871. It completed a miserable season for Surrey, who also finished bottom of their Twenty20 Cup division and failed to progress from the group stage of the Friends Provident Trophy. Warwickshire and Worcestershire were the two sides promoted from Division Two.

In the other competitions, Essex won the Friend's Provident Trophy with a 5 wicket victory over Kent; Sussex claimed the Pro40 Division 1 title with a last ball six, leaving Hampshire runners up. Last year's champions Worcestershire had to beat Glamorgan in the play-off to retain their Division 1 status for next year, while Middlesex and Lancashire were relegated. Essex bounced back from relegation last season to win the Division 2 title and, with it, a place in the top division alongside runners-up Yorkshire. Middlesex won their first domestic title in 15 years in the Twenty20 Cup with a 3 run win over reigning champions Kent.

New Zealand toured England to compete in a test series which England won 2-0 and South Africa toured England to compete in a test series which South Africa won 2–1.

## Roll of honour

Test series

* England v New Zealand: 3 Tests - England won 2–0.
* England v South Africa: 4 Tests - South Africa won 2–1.

ODI series

* England v New Zealand: 5 ODI's - New Zealand won 3–1.
* England v South Africa: 5 ODI's - England won 4–0. (One match abandoned due to rain)
* England v Scotland: 1 ODI - Match abandoned because of rain.

Twenty20 Internationals

* England v New Zealand: 1 Twenty20 International - England won.
* England v South Africa: 1 Twenty20 International - Match abandoned because of rain.

County Championship

* Champions: Durham
* Division Two winners: Warwickshire

Friends Provident Trophy

* Winners: Essex - Runners-up: Kent

Pro40 (National League)

* Division One winners: Sussex
* Division Two winners: Essex

Twenty20 Cup

* Winners: Middlesex - Runners-up: Kent

Minor Counties Championship

* Winners: Berkshire - Runners-up: Lincolnshire

MCCA Knockout Trophy

* Winners: Devon - Runners-up: Berkshire

Second XI Championship

* Winners: Durham 2nd XI

Second XI Trophy

* Winners: Hampshire 2nd XI - Runners-up: Essex 2nd XI

## LV County Championship

### Divisions

| Division One | Division Two |
| - | - |
| Durham | Derbyshire |
| Hampshire | Essex |
| Kent | Glamorgan |
| Lancashire | Gloucestershire |
| Nottinghamshire | Leicestershire |
| Somerset | Middlesex |
| Surrey | Northamptonshire |
| Sussex | Warwickshire |
| Yorkshire | Worcestershire |

* Icon
* Team promoted from Division Two
* Team relegated from Division One

### Division One Standings

| P | Team | Pld | W | L | Tie | D | Aban | Bat | Bowl | Deduct | Pts | Promoted / Relegated |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1 | Durham | 16 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 37 | 41 | 0 | 190 | Winners of Championship |
| 2 | Nottinghamshire | 16 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 1 | 37 | 43 | 0 | 182 |
| 3 | Hampshire | 16 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 33 | 47 | 0 | 178 |
| 4 | Somerset | 16 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 11 | 0 | 44 | 44 | 0 | 174 |
| 5 | Lancashire | 16 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 8 | 1 | 24 | 40 | 0 | 170 |
| 6 | Sussex | 16 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 12 | 0 | 45 | 38 | 0 | 159 |
| 7 | Yorkshire | 16 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 50 | 45 | 0 | 159 |
| 8 | Kent | 16 | 4 | 6 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 30 | 44 | 0 | 154 | Relegated to Championship Division 2 |
| 9 | Surrey | 16 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 10 | 1 | 45 | 36 | 1 | 124 | Relegated to Championship Division 2 |

Source: Rules for classification: 1st points; 2nd matches won; 3rd fewest defeats P = Position; Pld = Matches played; W = Matches won; L = Matches lost; Tie = Matches tied; D = Matches drawn; Aban = Matches abandoned; Deduct = Points deducted; Pts = Points

### Division Two Standings

| P | Team | Pld | W | L | Tie | D | Aban | Bat | Bowl | Deduct | Pts | Promoted / Relegated |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1 | Warwickshire | 16 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 0 | 53 | 46 | 0 | 213 | Promoted to Championship Division 1 |
| 2 | Worcestershire | 16 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 7 | 1 | 40 | 45 | 5 | 196 | Promoted to Championship Division 1 |
| 3 | Middlesex | 16 | 4 | 5 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 46 | 45 | 0 | 175 |
| 4 | Northamptonshire | 16 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 52 | 35 | 0 | 169 |
| 5 | Essex | 16 | 5 | 6 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 36 | 45 | 3 | 168 |
| 6 | Derbyshire | 16 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 33 | 46 | 4 | 167 |
| 7 | Leicestershire | 16 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 29 | 43 | 0 | 150 |
| 8 | Glamorgan | 16 | 3 | 5 | 0 | 7 | 1 | 26 | 36 | 0 | 136 |
| 9 | Gloucestershire | 16 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 11 | 0 | 42 | 38 | 2 | 122 |

Source: Rules for classification: 1st points; 2nd matches won; 3rd fewest defeats P = Position; Pld = Matches played; W = Matches won; L = Matches lost; Tie = Matches tied; D = Matches drawn; Aban = Matches abandoned; Deduct = Points deducted; Pts = Points

## Friends Provident Trophy

Source: BBC Sport

Friends Provident Trophy Tables :

| P | Team | Pld | W | L | Tie | NR | Aban | Pts | Net Run Rate |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1 | Durham | 8 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0.43 |
| 2 | Yorkshire | 8 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 10 | 0.54 |
| 3 | Derbyshire | 8 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 9 | -0.14 |
| 4 | Lancashire | 8 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 8 | 0.24 |
| 5 | Scotland | 8 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | -1.09 |
| P | Team | Pld | W | L | Tie | NR | Aban | Pts | Net Run Rate |
| 1 | Leicestershire | 8 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 11 | 0.69 |
| 2 | Nottinghamshire | 8 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 10 | 0.01 |
| 3 | Northamptonshire | 8 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 10 | 0.28 |
| 4 | Warwickshire | 8 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 6 | -0.14 |
| 5 | Ireland | 8 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | -0.68 |
| P | Team | Pld | W | L | Tie | NR | Aban | Pts | Net Run Rate |
| 1 | Kent | 8 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 11 | 0.67 |
| 2 | Essex | 8 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 0.31 |
| 3 | Middlesex | 8 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 8 | 0.06 |
| 4 | Surrey | 8 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 0.63 |
| 5 | Sussex | 8 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 0.54 |
| P | Team | Pld | W | L | Tie | NR | Aban | Pts | Net Run Rate |
| 1 | Gloucestershire | 8 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 11 | 0.71 |
| 2 | Somerset | 8 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 9 | 0.31 |
| 3 | Worcestershire | 8 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 8 | -0.12 |
| 4 | Hampshire | 8 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 7 | -0.43 |
| 5 | Glamorgan | 8 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 5 | -0.22 |
| Quarter-finals | Quarter-finals | Semi-finals | Semi-finals | | Final | Final |
| 4 June - Riverside Ground, Chester-le-Street | 4 June - Riverside Ground, Chester-le-Street | | | |
| Nottingham Outlaws | 188 | | | |
| Nottingham Outlaws | 188 | 4 July – Riverside, Chester-le-Street | 4 July – Riverside, Chester-le-Street | | |
| Durham Dynamos | 189/9 | 4 July – Riverside, Chester-le-Street | 4 July – Riverside, Chester-le-Street | |
| Durham Dynamos | 189/9 | Kent Spitfires | 301/4 | |
| 4 June - County Ground, Bristol | 4 June - County Ground, Bristol | | Kent Spitfires | 301/4 | |
| 4 June - County Ground, Bristol | 4 June - County Ground, Bristol | Durham Dynamos | 217 | |
| Gloucestershire Gladiators | 201 | Durham Dynamos | 217 | |
| Gloucestershire Gladiators | 201 | | | | 17 August – Lord's Cricket Ground, London | 17 August – Lord's Cricket Ground, London |
| Yorkshire Carnegie | 205/4 | | | | 17 August – Lord's Cricket Ground, London | 17 August – Lord's Cricket Ground, London |
| Yorkshire Carnegie | 205/4 | | | | Kent Spitfires | 214 |
| 4 June - Grace Road, Leicester | 4 June - Grace Road, Leicester | | | | | Kent Spitfires | 214 |
| 4 June - Grace Road, Leicester | 4 June - Grace Road, Leicester | | | | Essex Eagles | 215/5 |
| Essex Eagles | 350/5 | | | | Essex Eagles | 215/5 |
| Essex Eagles | 350/5 | 5 July - County Ground, Chelmsford | 5 July - County Ground, Chelmsford | | | |
| Leicestershire Foxes | 232 | 5 July - County Ground, Chelmsford | 5 July - County Ground, Chelmsford | | | |
| Leicestershire Foxes | 232 | Essex Eagles | 285/8 | | | |
| 4 June–5 June - County Ground, Beckenham | 4 June–5 June - County Ground, Beckenham | | Essex Eagles | 285/8 | | | |
| 4 June–5 June - County Ground, Beckenham | 4 June–5 June - County Ground, Beckenham | Yorkshire Carnegie | 198 | |
| Kent Spitfires | 259/5 | Yorkshire Carnegie | 198 | |
| Somerset Sabres | 222 | | | |

## Natwest Pro40

Source: BBC Sport

Natwest Pro40 Tables :

| P | Team | Pld | W | L | Tie | NR | Aban | Pts | Net Run Rate |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1 | Sussex | 8 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 12 | -0.106 |
| 2 | Hampshire | 8 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 10 | 0.633 |
| 3 | Durham | 8 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 0.369 |
| 4 | Nottinghamshire | 8 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0.250 |
| 5 | Gloucestershire | 8 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 8 | -0.460 |
| 6 | Somerset | 8 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 7 | -0.154 |
| 7 | Worcestershire | 8 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 7 | 0.110 |
| 8 | Lancashire | 8 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 6 | -0.815 |
| 9 | Middlesex | 8 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5 | -0.138 |
| P | Team | Pld | W | L | Tie | NR | Aban | Pts | Net Run Rate |
| 1 | Essex | 8 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 14 | 1.479 |
| 2 | Yorkshire | 8 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 12 | 0.250 |
| 3 | Glamorgan | 8 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0.113 |
| 4 | Kent | 8 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 10 | 1.629 |
| 5 | Surrey | 8 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | -0.444 |
| 6 | Warwickshire | 8 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 8 | -0.242 |
| 7 | Leicestershire | 8 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 5 | -0.463 |
| 8 | Derbyshire | 8 | 1 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | -0.892 |
| 9 | Northamptonshire | 8 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | -0.993 |

Worcestershire beat Glamorgan in the playoff match to retain their Division 1 status for the 2009 season.

## Twenty20 Cup

Twenty20 Cup Group Stage :

| P | Team | Pld | W | L | Tie | NR | Aban | Pts | Net Run Rate |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1 | Warwickshire | 10 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 15 | 0.694 |
| 2 | Northamptonshire | 10 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 13 | 0.431 |
| 3 | Glamorgan | 10 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 10 | -0.176 |
| 4 | Somerset | 10 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 9 | 0.313 |
| 5 | Worcestershire | 10 | 3 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 7 | -0.488 |
| 6 | Gloucestershire | 10 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 6 | -0.931 |
| P | Team | Pld | W | L | Tie | NR | Aban | Pts | Net Run Rate |
| 1 | Durham | 10 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 15 | 0.984 |
| 2 | Lancashire | 10 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 13 | 0.921 |
| 3 | Yorkshire | 10 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 12 | -0.312 |
| 4 | Nottinghamshire | 10 | 4 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 0.027 |
| 5 | Derbyshire | 10 | 3 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | -0.421 |
| 6 | Leicestershire | 10 | 2 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5 | -0.893 |
| P | Team | Pld | W | L | Tie | NR | Aban | Pts | Net Run Rate |
| 1 | Middlesex | 10 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 0.732 |
| 2 | Essex | 10 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 0.937 |
| 3 | Kent | 10 | 6 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 0.640 |
| 4 | Hampshire | 10 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 11 | -0.505 |
| 5 | Sussex | 10 | 2 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | -0.876 |
| 6 | Surrey | 10 | 2 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | -0.905 |

### Knockout stage

| Quarter-finals | Quarter-finals | Semi-finals | Semi-finals | | Final | Final |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 22 July - Riverside, Chester-le-Street | 22 July - Riverside, Chester-le-Street | | | |
| Durham Dynamos | 163/8 | | | |
| Durham Dynamos | 163/8 | 26 July – The Rose Bowl, Southampton | 26 July – The Rose Bowl, Southampton | | |
| Glamorgan Dragons | 119 | 26 July – The Rose Bowl, Southampton | 26 July – The Rose Bowl, Southampton | |
| Glamorgan Dragons | 119 | Durham Dynamos | 138/6 | |
| 8 July - The Oval, London | 8 July - The Oval, London | | Durham Dynamos | 138/6 | |
| 8 July - The Oval, London | 8 July - The Oval, London | Middlesex Crusaders | 141/2 | |
| Middlesex Crusaders | 176/7 | Middlesex Crusaders | 141/2 | |
| Middlesex Crusaders | 176/7 | | | | 26 July – The Rose Bowl, Southampton | 26 July – The Rose Bowl, Southampton |
| Lancashire Lightning | 164/8 | | | | 26 July – The Rose Bowl, Southampton | 26 July – The Rose Bowl, Southampton |
| Lancashire Lightning | 164/8 | | | | Middlesex Crusaders | 187/6 |
| 7 July - Chelmsford | 7 July - Chelmsford | | | | | Middlesex Crusaders | 187/6 |
| 7 July - Chelmsford | 7 July - Chelmsford | | | | Kent Spitfires | 184/5 |
| Essex Eagles | 192/9 | | | | Kent Spitfires | 184/5 |
| Essex Eagles | 192/9 | 26 July - The Rose Bowl, Southampton | 26 July - The Rose Bowl, Southampton | | | |
| Northamptonshire Steelbacks | 115/7 | 26 July - The Rose Bowl, Southampton | 26 July - The Rose Bowl, Southampton | | | |
| Northamptonshire Steelbacks | 115/7 | Essex Eagles | 159/8 | | | |
| 9 July–10 July - Edgbaston, Birmingham | 9 July–10 July - Edgbaston, Birmingham | | Essex Eagles | 159/8 | | | |
| 9 July–10 July - Edgbaston, Birmingham | 9 July–10 July - Edgbaston, Birmingham | Kent Spitfires | 173/7 | |
| Warwickshire Bears | 133/8 | Kent Spitfires | 173/7 | |
| Kent Spitfires | 175/6 | | | |
