County Files

Yorkshire, a cricket-loving tribe with a glorious past but question marks over both present and future

In the final instalment of an 18-part series on English cricket's first-class counties, Scyld Berry focuses on Yorkshire

Worcestershire, as intrinsic to west England as Elgar, is buoyed by its Cathedral past as it sculpts its future

New Road, located beside the Severn, was always going to be tricky - it is the only major cricket ground to face almost annual flooding

From Hobbs to the Currans, Surrey have always had swagger, style... and money

The second-most successful county have bought their way to the top — but that is no reason to dislike them

130 years and waiting, Somerset's quest to shed bridesmaid tag goes on

Six times in this millennium they have finished runners-up, but Somerset have never managed to win the county championship title

Nottinghamshire, from the very beginning, have been one of the wealthiest cricket counties

Northamptonshire are short on trophies but plucky and popular with an eye for a bargain

Nobody can feel threatened by Northamptonshire, but they have added abundantly to the gaiety of the nation’s cricket

The county has no physical existence and the club no home of their own, but Middlesex continue to thrive

Middlesex have long been tenants at Lord's, but their relationship with the Marylebone Cricket Club is mutually beneficial

Paul Nixon bursting to bring glory back to lowly Leicestershire

"We are going on the greatest journey cricket has ever seen, from bottom to top," says the county's head coach and cult figure

Lancashire are finally in full bloom after more than 150 years

The county has had periods of success before, but Lancashire now possesses the rare combination of success on and off the pitch

Kent's past underpinned by splendid batsmen, spinners and, above all, wicketkeepers

The ideas of Lord Harris and a dressing-room schism of 1984 have also shaped the county's history

Hampshire, the spiritual home of the bon viveur, but of strangely few England players

Southern county could put its all-time XI up against anyone, but it has always relied on imports

Gloucestershire's past glories can return under stewardship of Richard Dawson

The county has produced many great cricketers, but few have gone on to represent England in recent years

Glamorgan tradition has been extinguished by Kolpaks – their past and future are Welsh

The club are more likely to win fourth championship when links with south Asian community are as strong as they are with South Africans

Essex's diversity helps make them the very model of a modern first-class county

In the third of a weekly 18-part series on the past, present and future of the first-class counties, Scyld Berry turns to champions Essex

Durham produced Colly, Ollie and great fast bowlers - but have they been treated properly for all they have done for England?

In the second of a weekly 18-part series on the past, present and future of the first-class counties, Scyld Berry turns to Durham