In a nostalgic look back at the heart of the English summer game, we revisit a definitive ranking of the 18 first-class county headquarters in England and Wales. Compiled by Daily Mail Sport's seasoned cricket correspondent Lawrence Booth, who has visited them all countless times, this list is a personal journey through the cathedrals of the county circuit, ordered from bottom to top.
The Bottom of the League: Grounds with Untapped Potential
Starting at number 18 is Grace Road, the home of Leicestershire. Often criticised, its vast playing area is reputedly the world's second largest after the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Despite a history that includes three championship titles, the atmosphere has rarely ignited for Booth on his visits, though it rocked during the club's T20 triumphs.
In 17th place is Derby's County Ground. Lacking the charm of Chesterfield, it sits beside a busy roundabout but retains a down-to-earth character. Booth's first report here came the day after 9/11, covering a match where Derbyshire were skittled for a paltry 106.
Headingley, Yorkshire's storied but austere home, ranks 16th. While synonymous with Ashes heroics from Botham to Stokes, the ground inspires reverence more than affection, its atmosphere undented even by fancy-dress days in the West Stand.
Mid-Table Mix: Character, Community, and Controversy
At 15th is Bristol's Nevil Road, Gloucestershire's home, which constantly faces speculation about its future. Nestled in a residential area, it feels part of the local community. A highlight for Booth was the thrilling 2017 Women's World Cup semi-final held there.
Manchester's Old Trafford (14th) has been transformed by modern developments like The Point hotel. While it can feel desolate in the wind, nothing matched the thrum of the 2005 Ashes Test's final day. Some fans, however, still blame the Manchester weather for costing England the 2023 Ashes.
Chelmsford (13th) bucks the trend of out-of-town anonymity. A ten-minute stroll from the station, it's deeply embedded in its community. The ground is known for its boozy T20 nights and, crucially, pitches that sometimes turn, allowing for two spinners.
The serious stadium of Edgbaston (12th) is set for a £42m redevelopment. Its raucous Hollies Stand creates an unrivalled Test-match atmosphere, and for Booth, reporting on England's two-run win in the 2005 Ashes here was an unbeatable experience.
Taunton (11th) sits at the heart of Somerset, offering a bucolic view of the Quantock hills. It's a batsman's paradise, one of only three grounds worldwide to have hosted two first-class quadruple-centuries.
Chasing the Pack: Grounds with Unique Appeal
The Rose Bowl in Hampshire (10th) deserves more praise for keeping Test cricket afloat during the pandemic. Its 360-degree walkway offers great views of the South Downs, and the on-site hotel famously refused to move cricketer Mohammad Abbas for Pep Guardiola.
Sophia Gardens, Cardiff (9th), offers one of the best walks to a ground in Britain, through Bute Park. Its Grandstand is famously lively, as during the tense 2009 Ashes draw secured by Anderson and Panesar.
Canterbury's St Lawrence Ground (8th) embraces its history, with stands named after legends like Woolley and Knott. Its slope is more pronounced than Lord's, and it's the scene of Booth's most circuitous journey home, which accidentally ended in Dover.
Chester-le-Street (7th), Durham's compact home, boasts Lumley Castle as a backdrop. It staged the clinching moment of the 2013 Ashes, a day Booth feels is unjustly forgotten, and has hosted only one Test since due to the ECB's treatment of the county.
At number six is Wantage Road, Northamptonshire, a ground Booth admits bias towards as his home county. Once described as 'Coronation Street with grass', it has smartened up and holds fond memories, like a 1991 NatWest quarter-final victory.
The Top Five: The Crown Jewels of County Cricket
In fifth, New Road, Worcestershire is under threat from the flooding River Severn. Its backdrop of Worcester cathedral is the most attractive in the game, and its Ladies' Pavilion serves the best tea-time cake.
Lord's (4th) needs little introduction. The slope may be incongruous to some, but the food is the best on the circuit for journalists. Memories of the 2019 World Cup final and a magical 2011 afternoon watching Dravid and Tendulkar bat define its heavenly feel.
The Oval (3rd) is Surrey's more democratic, less self-conscious answer to Lord's. It proudly celebrates the county's 22 championship titles and provided the stage for Kevin Pietersen's Ashes-clinching 158 in 2005.
The runner-up is Trent Bridge, Nottinghamshire (2nd). Modernisation hasn't disturbed its old-time tranquility, and the pavilion remains among the loveliest. The press box is so low that journalists are warned to stay seated. Its effortless charm is encapsulated by England's dramatic 14-run Ashes win in 2013.
The Winner: A Seaside Idyll
Topping the list at number one is Hove, the home of Sussex. When the sun shines, there is no place like it. The ritual of a coffee from Brighton station, a stroll along the seafront, and cricket watched to the sound of seagulls is unbeatable. The slope and the sea fret add local colour, and the overlooking flats seem perfect retirement boltholes. For Booth, only a 24-carat curmudgeon could fail to be enchanted by watching cricket here.
This ranking is more than a list; it's a celebration of the diverse character, rich history, and community spirit that defines the county game's hallowed homes, from the bustling suburbs to the serene seaside.
