Image source, Shutterstock

We hope very much that the above phrase means 'welcome back' (if not, blame Google translate) and we use it now as there is Welsh representation in Division One of the County Championship for the first time since 2005.

Glamorgan did enough to secure second place in Division Two last summer despite losing their final game against Lancashire and have a new captain at the helm with Cardiff-born Kiran Carlson replacing Sam Northeast, who has moved back to Kent.

Many eyes will be on opening bat Asa Tribe, who hit a career-best 206 against Northants, and some observers feel he could be the 'next cab in line' should England decide the Crawley-Duckett pairing at the top of the order should not survive following the winter Ashes series.

Yorkshire's squad has undergone a bit of a shake-up after finishing seventh last season and they will be hoping their signings, including Sam Whiteman and Logan van Beek, hit the ground running.

Bad news, though - the weather is Cardiff is not great and it looks like we are in for a delayed start.

Image source, Shutterstock

Maybe we should have started the season yesterday?

Today's BBC Weather summary reads: "Windy today with scattered showers for many areas. Sunny spells in between showers in the north and east. Fewer showers in the east and far south. Winds easing later."

For a more detailed forecast, click here.

Happy Good Friday everyone - and for cricket fans, it is a very good Friday indeed as the county game emerges from winter hibernation and the 2026 domestic season gets under way.

Following Nottinghamshire's seventh Championship triumph last summer - can Haseeb Hameed's side achieve back-to-back titles for the first time in the club's history?

Will 'normal service' be resumed as Surrey, champions in the three previous seasons, bounce back strongly with Alec Stewart back as full time director of cricket, or will another team emerge from the pack and lift the trophy in September?

How will Sir James Anderson fare as 'permanent' Lancashire captain as they look for promotion from Division Two?

The answers to these and many other questions will take the best part of five months to answer and we'll be with you every step of the way as usual, so welcome to our coverage of round one, day one.

Image source, Shutterstock

T minus 30.....the clock is ticking......pads receiving final checks.....

(Our level of excitement over the next few minutes is going to be 'ard-te-mis)