THE start of the County Championship this week is an opportunity to return to some semblance of normality after a winter beset by controversy and rancour.

From the Ben Stokes saga to an Ashes series replete with gaffes and ill-feeling to the Australian ball-tampering scandal, headlines have been made for all the wrong reasons.

But while those who simply wish to focus on leather making contact with willow will get their wish as the county season gets under way on Friday, it would be remiss to ignore the English domestic scene’s issues.