# 2021 County Championship

The 2021 County Championship (referred to as the LV= Insurance County Championship for sponsorship reasons) was the 121st cricket County Championship season in England and Wales. For the first phase of the tournament, the teams were split into three groups of six, with each side playing ten matches. The top two teams from each group progressed into Division One for the second phase of the competition, with the other teams progressing to Divisions Two and Three. The team that finished top of Division One became the county champions; and the top two teams from Division One contested a five-day match at Lord's for the Bob Willis Trophy. On 17 December 2020, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) confirmed all the fixtures for the tournament. After completion of the group stage on 14 July 2021, the ECB confirmed the fixtures for the division stage on 22 July 2021.
In July 2021, in Lancashire's match against Kent, James Anderson took his 1,000th first-class wicket. In September 2021, Tom Haines became the first batsman to score 1,000 runs in this edition of the Championship.
For their final match in Group 3, Kent were forced to replace their entire side for their match against Sussex, after a positive test for COVID-19 in their first XI. On the second day of Kent's match, Nathan Gilchrist was forced to withdraw from the game, after being told to self-isolate. The final Group 1 match between Derbyshire and Essex was called off prior to the start of the second day, after a member of Derbyshire's team tested positive for COVID-19. The ECB confirmed that the result of the match would be treated as a draw. On 28 August 2021, the ECB announced that the Division 2 match between Durham and Surrey had been cancelled, after a member of the Surrey team had tested positive for COVID-19.
Warwickshire won the Division One group to win their first County Championship title since 2012, with Lancashire finishing in second place. Warwickshire won the five-day match against Lancashire, to become the second winners of the Bob Willis Trophy. The Division Two title was won by Essex, with Kent winning the Division Three title.

## Teams

The following teams took part in the County Championship:
| Team | Primary home ground | Other grounds | Coach | Captain |
| Derbyshire | County Ground, Derby | Queen's Park, Chesterfield | Dave Houghton | Billy Godleman |
| Durham | Riverside Ground, Chester-le-Street | – | James Franklin | Scott Borthwick |
| Essex | County Ground, Chelmsford | – | Anthony McGrath | Tom Westley |
| Glamorgan | Sophia Gardens, Cardiff | – | Matthew Maynard | Chris Cooke |
| Gloucestershire | County Ground, Bristol | College Ground, Cheltenham | Ian Harvey (interim) | Chris Dent |
| Hampshire | Rose Bowl, Southampton | – | Adrian Birrell | James Vince |
| Kent | St Lawrence Ground, Canterbury | – | Matt Walker | Sam Billings |
| Lancashire | Old Trafford, Manchester | Liverpool CC, Liverpool | Glen Chapple | Dane Vilas |
| Leicestershire | Grace Road, Leicester | – | Paul Nixon | Colin Ackermann |
| Middlesex | Lord's, London | Merchant Taylors' School Ground, Northwood | Stuart Law | Stephen Eskinazi |
| Northamptonshire | County Ground, Northampton | – | David Ripley | Adam Rossington |
| Nottinghamshire | Trent Bridge, Nottingham | – | Peter Moores | Steven Mullaney |
| Somerset | County Ground, Taunton | – | Jason Kerr | Tom Abell |
| Surrey | The Oval, London | – | Vikram Solanki | Rory Burns |
| Sussex | County Ground, Hove | – | Ian Salisbury | Ben Brown |
| Warwickshire | Edgbaston, Birmingham | – | Mark Robinson | Will Rhodes |
| Worcestershire | New Road, Worcester | – | Alex Gidman | Joe Leach |
| Yorkshire | Headingley, Leeds | North Marine Road Ground, Scarborough | Andrew Gale | Steven Patterson |

## Group stage
### Teams

The teams were placed into the following groups for the group stage:
* Group 1: Derbyshire, Durham, Essex, Nottinghamshire, Warwickshire, Worcestershire
* Group 2: Gloucestershire, Hampshire, Leicestershire, Middlesex, Somerset, Surrey
* Group 3: Glamorgan, Kent, Lancashire, Northamptonshire, Sussex, Yorkshire

### Fixtures
#### Group 1

* 8–11 April 2021 Scorecard
* Match drawn County Cricket Ground, Chelmsford Umpires: David Millns and Neil Mallender
* Essex won the toss and elected to bat.
* Jake Libby (Worcestershire) carried the bat.
* 8–11 April 2021 Scorecard
* Match drawn Edgbaston Cricket Ground, Birmingham Umpires: Alex Wharf and Richard Illingworth
* Warwickshire won the toss and elected to field.
* 8–11 April 2021 Scorecard
* Match drawn Trent Bridge, Nottingham Umpires: Ben Debenham and Ian Gould
* Nottinghamshire won the toss and elected to field.
* 15–18 April 2021 Scorecard
* Match drawn County Cricket Ground, Derby Umpires: Paul Baldwin and Tim Robinson
* Worcestershire won the toss and elected to field.
* 15–18 April 2021 Scorecard
* Essex won by 44 runs County Cricket Ground, Chelmsford Umpires: Billy Taylor and Peter Hartley
* Essex won the toss and elected to bat.
* 15–18 April 2021 Scorecard
* Warwickshire won by 3 wickets Trent Bridge, Nottingham Umpires: Neil Mallender and Steve O'Shaughnessy
* Nottinghamshire won the toss and elected to bat.
* 22–25 April 2021 Scorecard
* Match drawn New Road, Worcester Umpires: Richard Illingworth and Russell Warren
* Worcestershire won the toss and elected to bat.
* 22–25 April 2021 Scorecard
* Warwickshire won by 7 wickets Edgbaston Cricket Ground, Birmingham Umpires: Alex Wharf and Mike Burns
* Essex won the toss and elected to bat.
* 22–25 April 2021 Scorecard
* Match drawn Riverside Ground, Chester-le-Street Umpires: Neil Mallender and Richard Kettleborough
* Durham won the toss and elected to bat.
* George Scrimshaw (Derbyshire) made his first-class debut.
* David Bedingham (Durham) scored his maiden double century in first-class cricket.
* Chris Rushworth (Durham) took his 500th wicket in the County Championship.
* Sam Conners (Derbyshire) took his maiden five-wicket haul in first-class cricket.
* 29 April–2 May 2021 Scorecard
* Nottinghamshire won by 310 runs County Cricket Ground, Derby Umpires: Billy Taylor and Tim Robinson
* Derbyshire won the toss and elected to field.
* 29 April–2 May 2021 Scorecard
* Match drawn New Road, Worcester Umpires: Graham Lloyd and Robert White
* Essex won the toss and elected to bat.
* 29 April–2 May 2021 Scorecard
* Durham won by an innings and 127 runs Riverside Ground, Chester-le-Street Umpires: Michael Gough and Russell Warren
* Durham won the toss and elected to field.
* 6–9 May 2021 Scorecard
* Match drawn Edgbaston Cricket Ground, Birmingham Umpires: Ian Blackwell and Martin Saggers
* Worcestershire won the toss and elected to field.
* No play was possible on day 3 due to rain.
* 6–9 May 2021 Scorecard
* Nottinghamshire won by an innings and 30 runs Trent Bridge, Nottingham Umpires: Rob Bailey and Steve O'Shaughnessy
* Nottinghamshire won the toss and elected to field.
* No play was possible on day 3 due to rain.
* 13–16 May 2021 Scorecard
* Durham won by 258 runs Riverside Ground, Chester-le-Street Umpires: Michael Gough and Steve O'Shaughnessy
* Worcestershire won the toss and elected to field.
* Chris Rushworth became the leading wicket-taker for Durham, taking his 528th first-class wicket for the county.
* 13–16 May 2021 Scorecard
* Essex won by an innings and 15 runs County Cricket Ground, Chelmsford Umpires: Hassan Adnan and Ian Blackwell
* Derbyshire won the toss and elected to field.
* No play was possible on day 1 due to rain.
* 20–23 May 2021 Scorecard
* Nottinghamshire won by an innings and 170 runs Trent Bridge, Nottingham Umpires: Alex Wharf and Billy Taylor
* Worcestershire won the toss and elected to field.
* Only 15.5 overs of play were possible on day 1 due to rain.
* No play was possible on day 2 due to rain.
* 20–23 May 2021 Scorecard
* Match drawn County Cricket Ground, Chelmsford Umpires: Ben Debenham and Ian Gould
* Warwickshire won the toss and elected to bat.
* Only 10.3 overs of play were possible on day 2 due to rain.
* 20–23 May 2021 Scorecard
* Match drawn County Cricket Ground, Derby Umpires: Peter Hartley and Tim Robinson
* Durham won the toss and elected to field.
* Only 17 overs of play were possible on day 1 due to rain.
* No play was possible on day 2 due to rain.
* Anuj Dal replaced Harvey Hosein for Derbyshire during day 3 as a concussion substitute.
* 27–30 May 2021 Scorecard
* Essex won by 195 runs Riverside Ground, Chester-le-Street Umpires: David Millns and James Middlebrook
* Durham won the toss and elected to field.
* 27–30 May 2021 Scorecard
* Warwickshire won by 170 runs Edgbaston Cricket Ground, Birmingham Umpires: Graham Lloyd and Russell Warren
* Nottinghamshire won the toss and elected to field.
* 27–30 May 2021 Scorecard
* Worcestershire won by an innings and 23 runs New Road, Worcester Umpires: Ben Debenham and Rob Bailey
* Worcestershire won the toss and elected to bat.
* Dillon Pennington (Worcestershire) took his maiden five-wicket haul in first-class cricket.
* 3–6 June 2021 Scorecard
* Durham won by 10 wickets New Road, Worcester Umpires: David Millns and Neil Bainton
* Durham won the toss and elected to field.
* 3–6 June 2021 Scorecard
* Match drawn County Cricket Ground, Chelmsford Umpires: Ian Blackwell and Neil Mallender
* Nottinghamshire won the toss and elected to bat.
* No play was possible on day 2 due to rain.
* Brett Hutton (Nottinghamshire) took his 200th first-class wicket.
* 3–6 June 2021 Scorecard
* Warwickshire won by 191 runs County Cricket Ground, Derby Umpires: Billy Taylor and Nigel Llong
* Derbyshire won the toss and elected to field.
* 4–7 July 2021 Scorecard
* Nottinghamshire won by an innings and 36 runs Trent Bridge, Nottingham Umpires: Neil Bainton and Neil Pratt
* Nottinghamshire won the toss and elected to field.
* Dane Schadendorf (Nottinghamshire) made his first-class debut.
* Dane Schadendorf replaced Ben Duckett for Nottinghamshire on day 3 due to an international call-up.
* 4–7 July 2021 Scorecard
* Match drawn Edgbaston Cricket Ground, Birmingham Umpires: Ian Ramage and Paul Pollard
* Durham won the toss and elected to field.
* No play was possible on day 1 due to rain.
* Ethan Brookes replaced Danny Briggs (Warwickshire), while Jack Burnham and Graham Clark replaced Brydon Carse and Ben Stokes (Durham), on day 3 due to international call-ups.
* 11–14 July 2021 Scorecard
* Match drawn Riverside Ground, Chester-le-Street Umpires: Nigel Llong and Neil Pratt
* Durham won the toss and elected to field.
* No play was possible on day 2 due to rain.
* 11–14 July 2021 Scorecard
* Match drawn New Road, Worcester Umpires: Nick Cook and Chris Watts
* Warwickshire won the toss and elected to bat.
* Josh Baker (Worcestershire) and Jake Lintott (Warwickshire) both made their first-class debuts.
* 11–14 July 2021 Scorecard
* Match drawn Queen's Park, Chesterfield Umpires: James Middlebrook and Neil Mallender
* Derbyshire won the toss and elected to bat.
* The match was abandoned ahead of the second day due to a positive COVID-19 test in Derbyshire's squad.

#### Group 2

* 8–11 April 2021 Scorecard
* Somerset won by 4 wickets Lord's, London Umpires: Chris Watts and Richard Kettleborough
* Somerset won the toss and elected to field.
* 8–11 April 2021 Scorecard
* Hampshire won by an innings and 105 runs Grace Road, Leicester Umpires: Billy Taylor and Michael Gough
* Hampshire won the toss and elected to bat.
* 8–11 April 2021 Scorecard
* Gloucestershire won by 8 wickets Bristol County Ground, Bristol Umpires: Ian Blackwell and Rob White
* Gloucestershire won the toss and elected to field.
* 15–18 April 2021 Scorecard
* Gloucestershire won by 8 wickets County Ground, Taunton Umpires: Neil Bainton and Richard Illingworth
* Gloucestershire won the toss and elected to field.
* Dominic Goodman (Gloucestershire) made his first-class debut.
* 15–18 April 2021 Scorecard
* Hampshire won by 249 runs Rose Bowl, Southampton Umpires: Nigel Llong and Tom Lungley
* Hampshire won the toss and elected to bat.
* Mohammad Abbas (Hampshire) took a hat-trick during Middlesex's first innings.
* 15–18 April 2021 Scorecard
* Match drawn The Oval, London Umpires: Graham Lloyd and Paul Pollard
* Leicestershire won the toss and elected to bat.
* 22–25 April 2021 Scorecard
* Somerset won by 9 wickets Grace Road, Leicester Umpires: Rob Bailey and Tim Robinson
* Leicestershire won the toss and elected to bat.
* Rishi Patel replaced Colin Ackermann for Leicestershire ahead of Day 3 as a concussion replacement.
* 22–25 April 2021 Scorecard
* Match drawn Rose Bowl, Southampton Umpires: Ben Debenham and David Millns
* Hampshire won the toss and elected to bat.
* 22–25 April 2021 Scorecard
* Middlesex won by 10 wickets Lord's, London Umpires: Michael Gough and Neil Bainton
* Middlesex won the toss and elected to field.
* Luke Hollman (Middlesex) made his first-class debut.
* 29 April–2 May 2021 Scorecard
* Somerset won by 4 wickets County Ground, Taunton Umpires: Ian Gould and Mike Burns
* Somerset won the toss and elected to field.
* Lewis Goldsworthy (Somerset) made his first-class debut.
* Jack Brooks replaced Lewis Gregory for Somerset ahead of Day 3 as a COVID-19 replacement.
* 29 April–2 May 2021 Scorecard
* Surrey won by an innings and 289 runs The Oval, London Umpires: Paul Baldwin and Richard Kettleborough
* Surrey won the toss and elected to field.
* 29 April–2 May 2021 Scorecard
* Gloucestershire won by 4 wickets Bristol County Ground, Bristol Umpires: Nigel Llong and Richard Illingworth
* Gloucestershire won the toss and elected to field.
* 6–9 May 2021 Scorecard
* Gloucestershire won by 7 wickets Lord's, London Umpires: Billy Taylor and Paul Pollard
* Gloucestershire won the toss and elected to field.
* 6–9 May 2021 Scorecard
* Somerset won by 10 wickets Rose Bowl, Southampton Umpires: Alex Wharf and Graham Lloyd
* Somerset won the toss and elected to field.
* Only 9.3 overs of play were possible on day 3 due to rain.
* 6–9 May 2021 Scorecard
* Match drawn Grace Road, Leicester Umpires: Ian Gould and Richard Illingworth
* Leicestershire won the toss and elected to bat.
* No play was possible on day 3 due to rain.
* 13–16 May 2021 Scorecard
* Hampshire won by 7 wickets Lord's, London Umpires: Neil Bainton and Neil Mallender
* Hampshire won the toss and elected to field.
* 13–16 May 2021 Scorecard
* Match drawn County Ground, Taunton Umpires: Nick Cook and Russell Warren
* Somerset won the toss and elected to field.
* No play was possible on day 1 due to rain.
* Only 9 overs of play was possible on day 3 due to rain.
* No play was possible on day 4 due to a wet outfield.
* 19–22 May 2021 Scorecard
* Match drawn Rose Bowl, Southampton Umpires: Martin Saggers and Nigel Llong
* Leicestershire won the toss and elected to field.
* Only 26.2 overs of play were possible on day 1 due to rain.
* With overs lost in the game due to the weather, Hampshire forfeited their second innings in an attempt to produce a result.
* 20–23 May 2021 Scorecard
* Match drawn The Oval, London Umpires: Graham Lloyd and Ian Blackwell
* Middlesex won the toss and elected to field.
* Only 18 overs of play were possible on day 2 due to rain.
* 20–23 May 2021 Scorecard
* Match drawn Bristol County Ground, Bristol Umpires: Paul Baldwin and Steve O'Shaughnessy
* Gloucestershire won the toss and elected to field.
* Only 20.2 overs of play were possible on day 1 due to rain.
* No play was possible on day 2 due to rain.
* 27–30 May 2021 Scorecard
* Surrey won by an innings and 47 runs The Oval, London Umpires: Billy Taylor and Ian Gould
* Surrey won the toss and elected to bat.
* 27–30 May 2021 Scorecard
* Leicestershire won by 5 wickets Grace Road, Leicester Umpires: Mark Newell and Tim Robinson
* Middlesex won the toss and elected to bat.
* 3–6 June 2021 Scorecard
* Match drawn County Ground, Taunton Umpires: Peter Hartley and Steve O'Shaughnessy
* Hampshire won the toss and elected to field.
* 3–6 June 2021 Scorecard
* Leicestershire won by an innings and 93 runs Grace Road, Leicester Umpires: Nick Cook and Russell Warren
* Leicestershire won the toss and elected to bat.
* 4–7 July 2021 Scorecard
* Match drawn Rose Bowl, Southampton Umpires: Chris Watts and Ian Gould
* Surrey won the toss and elected to field.
* Ben Geddes (Surrey) and Tom Prest (Hampshire) both made their first-class debuts.
* Tom Prest replaced James Vince (Hampshire), while Ben Geddes replaced Will Jacks (Surrey), on day 3 due to international call-ups.
* 4–7 July 2021 Scorecard
* Match drawn County Ground, Taunton Umpires: James Middlebrook and Neil Mallender
* Leicestershire won the toss and elected to field.
* Kasey Aldridge (Somerset) made his first-class debut.
* Kasey Aldridge replaced Craig Overton for Somerset on day 3 due to an international call-up.
* 5–8 July 2021 Scorecard
* Gloucestershire won by 164 runs College Ground, Cheltenham Umpires: Graham Lloyd and Mark Newell
* Middlesex won the toss and elected to field.
* Josh de Caires (Middlesex) and Ollie Price (Gloucestershire) both made their first-class debuts.
* Dominic Goodman replaced David Payne (Gloucestershire), while Robbie White replaced John Simpson (Middlesex), on day 2 due to international call-ups.
* 11–14 July 2021 Scorecard
* Hampshire won by 7 wickets College Ground, Cheltenham Umpires: Paul Pollard and Rob White
* Gloucestershire won the toss and elected to bat.
* 11–14 July 2021 Scorecard
* Middlesex won by 121 runs Merchant Taylors' School Ground, Northwood Umpires: Ben Debenham and Mark Newell
* Middlesex won the toss and elected to bat.
* Joe Cracknell (Middlesex) made his first-class debut.
* 11–14 July 2021 Scorecard
* Match drawn The Oval, London Umpires: Peter Hartley and Russell Warren
* Somerset won the toss and elected to bat.

#### Group 3

* 8–11 April 2021 Scorecard
* Match drawn County Cricket Ground, Northampton Umpires: Paul Pollard and Rob Bailey
* Northamptonshire won the toss and elected to field.
* 8–11 April 2021 Scorecard
* Match drawn Headingley Cricket Ground, Leeds Umpires: Paul Baldwin and Russell Warren
* Yorkshire won the toss and elected to field.
* Jamie McIlroy (Glamorgan) made his first-class debut.
* 8–11 April 2021 Scorecard
* Match drawn Old Trafford Cricket Ground, Manchester Umpires: Martin Saggers and Neil Bainton
* Sussex won the toss and elected to bat.
* Sean Hunt (Sussex) made his first-class debut.
* 15–18 April 2021 Scorecard
* Lancashire won by 206 runs Old Trafford Cricket Ground, Manchester Umpires: Mike Burns and Richard Kettleborough
* Lancashire won the toss and elected to bat.
* 15–18 April 2021 Scorecard
* Yorkshire won by 200 runs St Lawrence Ground, Canterbury Umpires: Ian Gould and Martin Saggers
* Yorkshire won the toss and elected to bat.
* 15–18 April 2021 Scorecard
* Sussex won by 8 wickets Sophia Gardens, Cardiff Umpires: Alex Wharf and Ben Debenham
* Sussex won the toss and elected to field.
* 22–25 April 2021 Scorecard
* Northamptonshire won by 7 wickets County Cricket Ground, Northampton Umpires: Peter Hartley and Steve O'Shaughnessy
* Northamptonshire won the toss and elected to field.
* 22–25 April 2021 Scorecard
* Lancashire won by an innings and 5 runs St Lawrence Ground, Canterbury Umpires: Billy Taylor and Nigel Llong
* Kent won the toss and elected to field.
* Danny Lamb (Lancashire) scored his maiden century in first-class cricket.
* 22–25 April 2021 Scorecard
* Yorkshire won by 48 runs County Cricket Ground, Hove Umpires: Ian Blackwell and Paul Pollard
* Yorkshire won the toss and elected to bat.
* 29 April–2 May 2021 Scorecard
* Glamorgan won by 10 wickets Sophia Gardens, Cardiff Umpires: Ian Blackwell and Neil Bainton
* Glamorgan won the toss and elected to field.
* Darren Stevens (Kent) took his 30th five-wicket haul in first-class cricket.
* 136.3 overs were bowled in total, making this the shortest four-day County match involving Glamorgan.
* 29 April–2 May 2021 Scorecard
* Lancashire won by 5 wickets Old Trafford Cricket Ground, Manchester Umpires: Neil Mallender and Peter Hartley
* Sussex won the toss and elected to bat.
* Jamie Atkins (Sussex) made his first-class debut.
* 29 April–2 May 2021 Scorecard
* Yorkshire won by 1 run Headingley Cricket Ground, Leeds Umpires: David Millns and Nick Cook
* Northamptonshire won the toss and elected to field.
* This was the first time that Northamptonshire had lost a first-class match by one run.
* It was the second time that Yorkshire had won a first-class match by one run, after they beat Middlesex by one run in the 1976 County Championship.
* 6–9 May 2021 Scorecard
* Match drawn Old Trafford Cricket Ground, Manchester Umpires: Michael Gough and Nick Cook
* Glamorgan won the toss and elected to bat.
* No play was possible on day 3 due to rain.
* 6–9 May 2021 Scorecard
* Northamptonshire won by an innings and 120 runs County Cricket Ground, Northampton Umpires: Neil Bainton and Paul Baldwin
* Northamptonshire won the toss and elected to field.
* No play was possible on day 3 due to rain.
* Joe Sarro (Sussex) made his first-class debut.
* Saif Zaib (Northamptonshire) scored his maiden century in first-class cricket.
* 6–9 May 2021 Scorecard
* Match drawn Headingley Cricket Ground, Leeds Umpires: Peter Hartley and Richard Kettleborough
* Yorkshire won the toss and elected to field.
* No play was possible on day 3 due to rain.
* 13–16 May 2021 Scorecard
* Match drawn County Cricket Ground, Hove Umpires: David Millns and Graham Lloyd
* Sussex won the toss and elected to field.
* Tawanda Muyeye (Kent) made his first-class debut.
* 13–16 May 2021 Scorecard
* Match drawn Sophia Gardens, Cardiff Umpires: Martin Saggers and Nigel Llong
* Yorkshire won the toss and elected to field.
* No play was possible on day 1 due to rain.
* Harry Duke (Yorkshire) made his first-class debut.
* 20–23 May 2021 Scorecard
* Match drawn County Cricket Ground, Northampton Umpires: Richard Kettleborough and Rob Bailey
* Northamptonshire won the toss and elected to field.
* Only 16.5 overs of play were possible on day 1 due to rain.
* No play was possible on day 2 due to rain.
* Only 11 overs of play were possible on day 3 due to rain.
* 20–23 May 2021 Scorecard
* Match drawn St Lawrence Ground, Canterbury Umpires: James Middlebrook and Richard Illingworth
* Glamorgan won the toss and elected to field.
* Only 22 overs of play were possible on day 1 due to rain.
* 27–30 May 2021 Scorecard
* Lancashire won by an innings and 79 runs Old Trafford Cricket Ground, Manchester Umpires: Alex Wharf and Steve O'Shaughnessy
* Yorkshire won the toss and elected to bat.
* Saqib Mahmood (Lancashire) took his maiden five-wicket haul in first-class cricket.
* 27–30 May 2021 Scorecard
* Northamptonshire won by 7 wickets County Cricket Ground, Hove Umpires: Nigel Llong and Paul Baldwin
* Sussex won the toss and elected to bat.
* 3–6 June 2021 Scorecard
* Glamorgan won by 6 wickets Sophia Gardens, Cardiff Umpires: Alex Wharf and Paul Baldwin
* Glamorgan won the toss and elected to field.
* 3–6 June 2021 Scorecard
* Yorkshire won by an innings and 30 runs Headingley Cricket Ground, Leeds Umpires: Graham Lloyd and Rob Bailey
* Yorkshire won the toss and elected to field.
* Danial Ibrahim and Ali Orr (Sussex) both made their first-class debuts.
* Danial Ibrahim (Sussex), at the age of 16 years and 299 days, became the youngest cricketer to score a half-century in the history of the County Championship.
* 3–6 June 2021 Scorecard
* Match drawn St Lawrence Ground, Canterbury Umpires: Ian Gould and Ian Ramage
* Northamptonshire won the toss and elected to bat.
* No play was possible on day 2 due to rain.
* Emilio Gay (Northamptonshire) scored his maiden century in first-class cricket.
* 4–7 July 2021 Scorecard
* Match drawn County Cricket Ground, Hove Umpires: Ben Debenham and Russell Warren
* Sussex won the toss and elected to bat.
* Oli Carter (Sussex) made his first-class debut.
* 4–7 July 2021 Scorecard
* Match drawn Old Trafford Cricket Ground, Manchester Umpires: Robert White and Steve O'Shaughnessy
* Kent won the toss and elected to bat.
* No play was possible on day 1 due to rain.
* Tawanda Muyeye replaced Zak Crawley (Kent), while Tom Hartley replaced Matt Parkinson (Lancashire), on day 3 due to international call-ups.
* 4–7 July 2021 Scorecard
* Yorkshire won by 53 runs County Cricket Ground, Northampton Umpires: Billy Taylor and Tom Lungley
* Yorkshire won the toss and elected to bat.
* 11–14 July 2021 Scorecard
* Match drawn Sophia Gardens, Cardiff Umpires: Graham Lloyd and Tom Lungley
* Northamptonshire won the toss and elected to field.
* 11–14 July 2021 Scorecard
* Match drawn St Lawrence Ground, Canterbury Umpires: Billy Taylor and Hassan Adnan
* Kent won the toss and elected to field.
* Joe Gordon, Harry Houillon, Dan Lincoln, Jas Singh and Bailey Wightman (Kent) and Harrison Ward (Sussex) all made their first-class debuts.
* Bailey Wightman replaced Nathan Gilchrist (Kent) as a COVID-19 replacement on Day 2.
* Ali Orr (Sussex) scored his maiden century in first-class cricket.
* 11–14 July 2021 Scorecard
* Match drawn Headingley Cricket Ground, Leeds Umpires: Ian Gould and Nigel Llong
* Yorkshire won the toss and elected to field.
* No play was possible on day 2 due to rain.
* Play was suspended on day 3 due to an unsafe outfield, with the match abandoned the following day.

### Standings

Teams receive 16 points for a win and 8 for a draw or tie. Bonus points (a maximum of 5 batting points and 3 bowling points) could be scored during the first 110 overs of each team's first innings.

#### Group 1

| Team | Pld | W | L | T | D | A | Bat | Bowl | Ded | PCF | Pts | Qualification |
| Nottinghamshire | 10 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 26 | 29 | 0 | 0 | 151 | Qualification for Division One of the Division Stage |
| Warwickshire | 10 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 17 | 25 | 1 | 0 | 145 | Qualification for Division One of the Division Stage |
| Durham | 10 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 17 | 30 | 3 | 0 | 132 | Qualification for Division Two of the Division Stage |
| Essex | 10 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 15 | 26 | 0 | 0 | 129 | Qualification for Division Two of the Division Stage |
| Worcestershire | 10 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 24 | 21 | 0 | 0 | 109 | Qualification for Division Three of the Division Stage |
| Derbyshire | 10 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 10 | 23 | 1 | 0 | 72 | Qualification for Division Three of the Division Stage |
* ↑ Warwickshire were deducted 1 point for a slow over rate against Derbyshire on 3 June 2021.
* ↑ Durham were deducted 2 points for a slow over rate against Warwickshire on 4 July 2021, and 1 point for a slow over rate against Nottinghamshire on 11 July 2021.
* ↑ Derbyshire were deducted 1 point for a slow over rate against Warwickshire on 3 June 2021.

#### Group 2

| Team | Pld | W | L | T | D | A | Bat | Bowl | Ded | PCF | Pts | Qualification |
| Somerset | 10 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 26 | 26 | 8 | 0 | 148 | Qualification for Division One of the Division Stage |
| Hampshire | 10 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 23 | 26 | 0 | 0 | 145 | Qualification for Division One of the Division Stage |
| Gloucestershire | 10 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 14 | 21 | 0 | 0 | 131 | Qualification for Division Two of the Division Stage |
| Surrey | 10 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 19 | 24 | 0 | 0 | 123 | Qualification for Division Two of the Division Stage |
| Leicestershire | 10 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 22 | 25 | 0 | 0 | 111 | Qualification for Division Three of the Division Stage |
| Middlesex | 10 | 2 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 15 | 30 | 1 | 0 | 84 | Qualification for Division Three of the Division Stage |
* ↑ Somerset were deducted 8 points for a poor pitch against Essex in 2019.
* ↑ Middlesex were deducted 1 point for a slow over rate against Leicestershire on 11 July 2021.

#### Group 3

| Team | Pld | W | L | T | D | A | Bat | Bowl | Ded | PCF | Pts | Qualification |
| Lancashire | 10 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 22 | 24 | 0 | 0 | 150 | Qualification for Division One of the Division Stage |
| Yorkshire | 10 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 14 | 23 | 0 | 0 | 149 | Qualification for Division One of the Division Stage |
| Glamorgan | 10 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 18 | 29 | 0 | 0 | 127 | Qualification for Division Two of the Division Stage |
| Northamptonshire | 10 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 22 | 21 | 0 | 0 | 123 | Qualification for Division Two of the Division Stage |
| Kent | 10 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 15 | 26 | 0 | 0 | 97 | Qualification for Division Three of the Division Stage |
| Sussex | 10 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 18 | 28 | 0 | 0 | 94 | Qualification for Division Three of the Division Stage |

## Qualification
### Teams

The teams qualified into the following divisions for the Division Stage:
* Division One: Hampshire, Lancashire, Nottinghamshire, Somerset, Warwickshire, Yorkshire
* Division Two: Durham, Essex, Glamorgan, Gloucestershire, Northamptonshire, Surrey
* Division Three: Derbyshire, Kent, Leicestershire, Middlesex, Sussex, Worcestershire

#### Points carried forward

Each county played four games in the Division stage. They did not play against the team in their Division that was in their Group for the group stage. Instead, they carried forward into the Division stage half the total points they scored in the two matches played against that team in the group stage, that is, the average points they scored from their two matches against that opponent.
Division One :
| Group | Team | Team from the same group | Points scored against during | Points scored against during | PCF | Match Ref. |
| Group | Team | Team from the same group | 1st group match | 2nd group match | PCF | Match Ref. |
| 1 | Nottinghamshire | Warwickshire | 5 | 5 | 5 | 15–18 Apr 2021 27–30 May 2021 |
| 1 | Warwickshire | Nottinghamshire | 20 | 22 | 21 | 15–18 Apr 2021 27–30 May 2021 |
| 2 | Somerset | Hampshire | 22 | 15 | 18.5 | 6–9 May 2021 3–6 July 2021 |
| 2 | Hampshire | Somerset | 3 | 14 | 8.5 | 6–9 May 2021 3–6 July 2021 |
| 3 | Lancashire | Yorkshire | 22 | 11 | 16.5 | 27–30 May 2021 11–14 July 2021 |
| 3 | Yorkshire | Lancashire | 1 | 8 | 4.5 | 27–30 May 2021 11–14 July 2021 |
Division Two :
| Group | Team | Team from the same group | Points scored against during | Points scored against during | PCF | Match Ref. |
| Group | Team | Team from the same group | 1st group match | 2nd group match | PCF | Match Ref. |
| 1 | Durham | Essex | 5 | 3 | 4 | 15–18 Apr 2021 27–30 May 2021 |
| 1 | Essex | Durham | 19 | 19 | 19 | 15–18 Apr 2021 27–30 May 2021 |
| 2 | Gloucestershire | Surrey | 22 | 2 | 12 | 8–11 Apr 2021 27–30 May 2021 |
| 2 | Surrey | Gloucestershire | 4 | 22 | 13 | 8–11 Apr 2021 27–30 May 2021 |
| 3 | Glamorgan | Northamptonshire | 7 | 16 | 11.5 | 22–25 Apr 2021 11–14 July 2021 |
| 3 | Northamptonshire | Glamorgan | 22 | 10 | 16 | 22–25 Apr 2021 11–14 July 2021 |
Division Three :
| Group | Team | Team from the same group | Points scored against during | Points scored against during | PCF | Match Ref. |
| Group | Team | Team from the same group | 1st group match | 2nd group match | PCF | Match Ref. |
| 1 | Worcestershire | Derbyshire | 14 | 23 | 18.5 | 15–18 Apr 2021 27–30 May 2021 |
| 1 | Derbyshire | Worcestershire | 15 | 4 | 9.5 | 15–18 Apr 2021 27–30 May 2021 |
| 2 | Leicestershire | Middlesex | 19 | 4 | 11.5 | 27–30 May 2021 11–14 Jul 2021 |
| 2 | Middlesex | Leicestershire | 5 | 21 | 13 | 27–30 May 2021 11–14 Jul 2021 |
| 3 | Kent | Sussex | 11 | 11 | 11 | 13–16 May 2021 11–14 July 2021 |
| 3 | Sussex | Kent | 13 | 11 | 12 | 13–16 May 2021 11–14 July 2021 |

## Division stage
### Fixtures

Source:

#### Division One

* 30 August–2 September 2021 Round 1 Scorecard
* Match drawn Rose Bowl, Southampton Umpires: Nigel Llong and James Middlebrook
* Hampshire won the toss and elected to field.
* 30 August–2 September 2021 Round 1 Scorecard
* Match drawn Old Trafford, Manchester Umpires: Ian Blackwell and Russell Warren
* Warwickshire won the toss and elected to bat.
* Chris Benjamin (Warwickshire) scored his maiden century in first-class cricket.
* 30 August–2 September 2021 Round 1 Scorecard
* Nottinghamshire won by an innings and 160 runs County Ground, Taunton Umpires: David Millns and Paul Pollard
* Somerset won the toss and elected to field.
* Liam Patterson-White (Nottinghamshire) scored his maiden century in first-class cricket.
* 5–8 September 2021 Round 2 Scorecard
* Nottinghamshire won by 102 runs Trent Bridge, Nottingham Umpires: Nick Cook and Peter Hartley
* Lancashire won the toss and elected to field.
* 5–8 September 2021 Round 2 Scorecard
* Hampshire won by 60 runs Edgbaston, Birmingham Umpires: Ian Gould and James Middlebrook
* Warwickshire won the toss and elected to field.
* 5–8 September 2021 Round 2 Scorecard
* Yorkshire won by an innings and 33 runs North Marine Road, Scarborough Umpires: Robert White and Tim Robinson
* Somerset won the toss and elected to bat.
* 12–15 September 2021 Round 3 Scorecard
* Hampshire won by 122 runs Rose Bowl, Southampton Umpires: Mike Burns and Martin Saggers
* Hampshire won the toss and elected to bat.
* 12–15 September 2021 Round 3 Scorecard
* Lancashire won by 10 wickets County Ground, Taunton Umpires: Graham Lloyd and Steve O'Shaughnessy
* Somerset won the toss and elected to field.
* Ned Leonard (Somerset) made his first-class debut.
* 12–15 September 2021 Round 3 Scorecard
* Warwickshire won by 106 runs Headingley, Leeds Umpires: Nigel Llong and Neil Mallender
* Yorkshire won the toss and elected to field.
* No play was possible on day 3 due to rain.
* Jacob Bethell (Warwickshire) made his first-class debut.
* 21–24 September 2021 Round 4 Scorecard
* Lancashire won by 1 wicket Liverpool CC, Liverpool Umpires: Alex Wharf and Peter Hartley
* Lancashire won the toss and elected to field.
* 21–24 September 2021 Round 4 Scorecard
* Nottinghamshire won by 5 wickets Trent Bridge, Nottingham Umpires: Rob Bailey and Richard Kettleborough
* Yorkshire won the toss and elected to field.
* 21–24 September 2021 Round 4 Scorecard
* Warwickshire won by 118 runs Edgbaston, Birmingham Umpires: Steve O'Shaughnessy and Russell Warren
* Somerset won the toss and elected to field.

#### Division Two

* 30 August–2 September 2021 Round 1 Scorecard
* Match cancelled Riverside Ground, Chester-le-Street
* The match was cancelled due to COVID-19.
* 30 August–2 September 2021 Round 1 Scorecard
* Essex won by an innings and 74 runs Sophia Gardens, Cardiff Umpires: Ben Debenham and Tim Robinson
* Glamorgan won the toss and elected to bat.
* Josh Rymell (Essex) made his first-class debut.
* 30 August–2 September 2021 Round 1 Scorecard
* Gloucestershire won by 6 wickets Bristol County Ground, Bristol Umpires: Steve O'Shaughnessy and Ian Ramage
* Gloucestershire won the toss and elected to field.
* 5–8 September 2021 Round 2 Scorecard
* Durham won by an innings and 42 runs Riverside Ground, Chester-le-Street Umpires: Ian Blackwell and Neil Pratt
* Durham won the toss and elected to field.
* 5–8 September 2021 Round 2 Scorecard
* Essex won by an innings and 3 runs County Cricket Ground, Chelmsford Umpires: Neil Bainton and Tom Lungley
* Essex won the toss and elected to field.
* 5–8 September 2021 Round 2 Scorecard
* Northamptonshire won by 2 wickets County Cricket Ground, Northampton Umpires: Mark Newell and Russell Warren
* Surrey won the toss and elected to bat.
* James Sales (Northamptonshire) made his first-class debut.
* 12–15 September 2021 Round 3 Scorecard
* Gloucestershire won by 10 wickets Sophia Gardens, Cardiff Umpires: Ian Blackwell and Neil Pratt
* Gloucestershire won the toss and elected to field.
* Ben Wells (Gloucestershire) made his first-class debut.
* 12–15 September 2021 Round 3 Scorecard
* Match drawn County Cricket Ground, Northampton Umpires: Ben Debenham and Peter Hartley
* Northamptonshire won the toss and elected to bat.
* No play was possible on day 3 due to rain.
* 12–15 September 2021 Round 3 Scorecard
* Match drawn The Oval, London Umpires: Paul Baldwin and Billy Taylor
* Essex won the toss and elected to bat.
* No play was possible on day 3 due to rain.
* 21–24 September 2021 Round 4 Scorecard
* Essex won by an innings and 44 runs County Cricket Ground, Chelmsford Umpires: Martin Saggers and Neil Mallender
* Northamptonshire won the toss and elected to bat.
* 21–24 September 2021 Round 4 Scorecard
* Gloucestershire won by 7 wickets Bristol County Ground, Bristol Umpires: Graham Lloyd and Ben Debenham
* Durham won the toss and elected to bat.
* 21–24 September 2021 Round 4 Scorecard
* Match drawn The Oval, London Umpires: Ian Blackwell and Nigel Llong
* Glamorgan won the toss and elected to bat.
* Chris Cooke (Glamorgan) scored his maiden double century in first-class cricket.

#### Division Three

* 30 August–2 September 2021 Round 1 Scorecard
* Kent won by 132 runs Grace Road, Leicester Umpires: Ian Gould and Chris Watts
* Kent won the toss and elected to bat.
* 30 August–2 September 2021 Round 1 Scorecard
* Middlesex won by 112 runs Lord's, London Umpires: Hassan Adnan and Peter Hartley
* Middlesex won the toss and elected to bat.
* Robbie White (Middlesex) scored his maiden century in first-class cricket.
* 30 August–2 September 2021 Round 1 Scorecard
* Worcestershire won by 6 wickets New Road, Worcester Umpires: Neil Bainton and Neil Pratt
* Sussex won the toss and elected to bat.
* Archie Lenham (Sussex) made his first-class debut.
* 5–8 September 2021 Round 2 Scorecard
* Match drawn County Cricket Ground, Derby Umpires: Rob Bailey and Ian Ramage
* Leicestershire won the toss and elected to bat.
* Chris Wright (Leicestershire) took his 500th first-class wicket.
* Brooke Guest and Anuj Dal (Derbyshire) both scored their maiden centuries in first-class cricket.
* 5–8 September 2021 Round 2 Scorecard
* Kent won by an innings and 56 runs St Lawrence Ground, Canterbury Umpires: Hassan Adnan and Paul Pollard
* Kent won the toss and elected to field.
* Nathan Gilchrist (Kent) took his maiden five-wicket haul in first-class cricket.
* Sam Billings replaced Marcus O'Riordan for Kent ahead of Day 2.
* 6–9 September 2021 Round 2 Scorecard
* Middlesex won by an innings and 54 runs County Cricket Ground, Hove Umpires: Nigel Llong and Chris Watts
* Middlesex won the toss and elected to bat.
* Luke Hollman (Middlesex) took his maiden five-wicket haul in first-class cricket.
* 12–15 September 2021 Round 3 Scorecard
* Kent won by 130 runs County Cricket Ground, Derby Umpires: Nick Cook and Tom Lungley
* Derbyshire won the toss and elected to field.
* No play was possible on day 3 due to rain.
* 12–15 September 2021 Round 3 Scorecard
* Leicestershire won by an innings and 5 runs Grace Road, Leicester Umpires: Mark Newell and Tim Robinson
* Sussex won the toss and elected to bat.
* No play was possible on day 3 due to rain.
* Tom Hinley (Sussex) made his first-class debut.
* 12–15 September 2021 Round 3 Scorecard
* Middlesex won by 101 runs Lord's, London Umpires: Neil Bainton and Robert White
* Worcestershire won the toss and elected to field.
* No play was possible on day 3 due to rain.
* 21–24 September 2021 Round 4 Scorecard
* Kent won by 2 wickets St Lawrence Ground, Canterbury Umpires: Billy Taylor and Mike Burns
* Kent won the toss and elected to field.
* 21–24 September 2021 Round 4 Scorecard
* Derbyshire won by 9 wickets County Cricket Ground, Hove Umpires: Neil Bainton and Paul Baldwin
* Derbyshire won the toss and elected to bat.
* 21–24 September 2021 Round 4 Scorecard
* Worcestershire won by 10 wickets New Road, Worcester Umpires: Hassan Adnan and Nick Cook
* Leicestershire won the toss and elected to bat.
* Sam Bates (Leicestershire) made his first-class debut.

### Standings
#### Division One

| Teamvte | Pld | W | L | T | D | A | Bat | Bowl | Ded | PCF | Pts |
| Warwickshire (C) (Q) | 4 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 10 | 0 | 21 | 77 |
| Lancashire (Q) | 4 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 10 | 0 | 16.5 | 73.5 |
| Nottinghamshire | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 12 | 0 | 5 | 73 |
| Hampshire | 4 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 12 | 0 | 8.5 | 61.5 |
| Yorkshire | 4 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 12 | 0 | 4.5 | 44.5 |
| Somerset | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 11 | 0 | 18.5 | 32.5 |
* (C) Warwickshire were the County Champions after finishing top of Division One.
* (Q) The teams that finished in the top two played for the Bob Willis Trophy.

#### Division Two

| Teamvte | Pld | W | L | T | D | A | Bat | Bowl | Ded | PCF | Pts |
| Essex | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 12 | 0 | 19 | 96 |
| Gloucestershire | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 12 | 0 | 12 | 76 |
| Durham | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 9 | 0 | 4 | 44 |
| Northamptonshire | 4 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 11 | 0 | 16 | 54 |
| Surrey | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 6 | 0 | 13 | 40 |
| Glamorgan | 4 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 9 | 0 | 11.5 | 34.5 |
* ↑ The scheduled Round 1 match between Durham and Surrey (30 August–2 September) was cancelled due to COVID-19. As a result, Division Two standings were decided on an average points per completed match basis.

#### Division Three

| Teamvte | Pld | W | L | T | D | A | Bat | Bowl | Ded | PCF | Pts |
| Kent | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 12 | 0 | 11 | 94 |
| Middlesex | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 12 | 0 | 13 | 80 |
| Worcestershire | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 12 | 0 | 18.5 | 67.5 |
| Leicestershire | 4 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 10 | 0 | 11.5 | 54.5 |
| Derbyshire | 4 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 10 | 0 | 9.5 | 51.5 |
| Sussex | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 6 | 0 | 12 | 30 |

## Bob Willis Trophy

Warwickshire and Lancashire finished first and second of County Championship Division One respectively, to play for the Bob Willis Trophy at Lord's.
* 28 September–2 October 2021 Scorecard
* Warwickshire won by an innings and 199 runs Lord's, London Umpires: David Millns and Mike Burns
* Warwickshire won the toss and elected to field.
* Manraj Johal (Warwickshire) made his first-class debut.