County champions Surrey begin their attempts to win a fourth Championship in five years with two home ties.

The team based at The AMP Oval face Lancashire and Warwickshire in their first two matches of the next English county season.

Adam Hollioake's side ran away with the 2002 title, with the silverware safely wrapped up with two full rounds of matches remaining.

They were off to a flier with victories over two potentially difficult sets of opponents, in promoted Sussex and reigning champions Yorkshire.

This time they will face a rapidly-improving team first up in Lancashire, whose young seam bowlers Kyle Hogg and James Anderson are both at the Academy this winter.

Essex face Middlesex

Warwickshire, meanwhile, finished runners-up in 2002, with Nick Knight scoring freely thtoughout the summer.

Division Two title-holders Essex and runners-up Middlesex begin their top-flight campaigns against one another at Chelmsford in the first round of matches on 18 April.

Should Essex's hopes of a second title in successive years still be alive come the last fixture, starting on September 17, they will have to do it the hard way - against Surrey at The Oval.

Relegated 2001 champions Yorkshire and aspiring Worcestershire will be among the favourites for next summer's Division Two title.

On paper both have a good opportunity, weather permitting, to begin the season on a winning note.

Yorkshire are at home to Northamptonshire and Worcestershire, also on their own patch, take on relegated Hampshire.