The new county cricket season: How it works and what Kent can expect

After just their third relegation in their history Kent Spitfires are hoping to gain promotion straight back to the top division this year but how does the format of the second-tier work, and how likely is it that Kent can bounce straight back up?

The same as in the first division, teams are awarded 16 points for a win, eight points for a draw and then zero points for a loss. However, regardless of result bonus points can be scored during the game which is determined by how many runs have been scored or wickets taken.

Bonus points work by rewarding points for when teams reach particular bowling and batting milestones and increase as these milestones climb higher. Here’s how it works for the 2025 season:

Batting bonus points

250 to 299 runs scored = one bonus point

300 to 349 runs scored = two bonus points

350 to 399 runs scored = three bonus points

400 to 499 runs scored = four bonus points

Bowling bonus points

3 to 5 wickets taken = one bonus point

6 to 8 wickets taken = two bonus points

9 to 10 wickets taken = three bonus points

So when Kent beat Middlesex scoring 218 in the first innings and 316 in the second innings they would score two bonus points for their batting. In this game they completely bowled Middlesex out both times so they would earn three bonus points twice for the 10 wickets taken in each innings giving them six in total for bowling. The bonus points from both are added to the 16 points for winning the game giving them 24 points for the match overall.

Unlike the first division teams cannot be relegated from the second and if Kent were to finish bottom or second bottom there is no lower league for them to go in to. Instead, they would just start the next season fresh in the same division.

Of course, the Spitfires won’t be looking at finishing bottom in the slightest if they can help it and will be hoping they can finish in one of the top two spots to gain their promotion back to the top division.

Kent have gotten off to a great start in this campaign going undefeated after three games winning two of them leaving themselves in third place in the Rothesay County Championship Division 2.

 

Whilst not currently in the top spots they have played a game less than the two teams above them and there’s a lot more cricket to be played. With the bonus points system it is far too early to tell what twists and turns could take place from now until the end of the campaign.