YORKSHIRE'S bid to regain the Specsavers County Championship title next year begins against Hampshire at Headingley on Friday April 7.

The ECB’s new look schedule was released at midnight, with the introduction of a round of floodlit Championship matches in late June designed to give England’s players a chance to play with the pink ball ahead of their August Test against the West Indies at Edgbaston.

Yorkshire host Surrey at Headingley, starting on Monday June 26.

“I think the day/night games are a good initiative, and we’re really pleased to be hosting one at Headingley, especially against Surrey,” said first-team coach Andrew Gale.

“There’s a good chance we’ll be seeing a few of our England players next season, for the day/night game to give them some experience of the conditions and the pink balls, and maybe in the early Championship matches as well. 

“With our England guys playing against Surrey, and people able to come in the evening after school or work, hopefully the crowds will roll in as they have done for Test cricket.” 

Yorkshire have three Championship matches before England’s first international of the summer, a one-day international against Ireland on May 5.

They also have eight Championship matches before England’s first Test against South Africa on July 6.

Yorkshire’s two Roses Championship matches against Lancashire take place at Emirates Old Trafford and Headingley, starting on Friday May 19 and Friday June 2 respectively.

“As a Yorkshireman, you always look for the Lancashire games first,” continued Gale. “They’re always good games to play in.

“Then I’d look at the first game to see where you’re playing, how cold it’s going to be and the team you’re up against.

“We had Hampshire in our first game last year as well. It was a high-scoring draw, and they showed they’re a good side on their day and not to be underestimated.

“It will be quite weird for me next year for that first game at Headingley, not having to be nervous or putting the pads on or wondering what to do at the toss. 

“But, as I said when the appointment was announced, I’m excited about the new role. 

“For the moment, it’s a lot of planning around the skill sessions the players will be doing after Christmas and looking at the fixtures.”

Yorkshire’s two Championship matches at Scarborough are against Somerset on Monday July 3 and against Essex on Sunday August 6. 

They also face champions Middlesex at Lord’s on Monday June 19 and at Headingley on Tuesday September 5.

Despite the Championship competition being cut from 16 matches to 14 in 2017, Yorkshire’s campaign starts 10 days earlier than last summer and finishes five days later on September 28.

Their final round fixture is against newly promoted Essex at Chelmsford on Monday 25.

Yorkshire begin both limited overs competitions against Nottinghamshire.

They travel to Trent Bridge for the start of the Royal London one-day Cup on Saturday April 29 and host the Outlaws in the NatWest T20 Blast opener on Friday July 7.

The majority of the RL50 competition takes place through May with the final at Lord’s on Saturday July 1. The Blast runs through July and August, although Finals Day is at Edgbaston on Saturday September 2.

Yorkshire’s first six Championship matches all begin on Fridays, while there is no four-day cricket at Headingley in July and August.

Sunday, April 02, 2017
Yorkshire v Leeds/Brad UCCE
Headingley
UNI

Friday, April 07, 2017
Yorkshire v Hampshire
Headingley
CC 1 

Friday, April 14, 2017
Warwickshire v Yorkshire
Edgbaston
CC 1

Friday, April 21, 2017
Hampshire v Yorkshire
Ageas Bowl
CC 1

Saturday, April 29, 2017
Nottinghamshire v Yorkshire
Trent Bridge
50L

Monday, May 01, 2017
Yorkshire v Lancashire
Headingley
50L

Wednesday, May 03, 2017
Yorkshire v Durham
Headingley
50L

Friday, May 05, 2017
Worcestershire v Yorkshire
New Road
50L

Sunday, May 07, 2017
Yorkshire v Derbyshire
Headingley
50L

Wednesday, May 10, 2017
Northamptonshire v Yorkshire
Northampton
50L

Sunday, May 14, 2017
Warwickshire v Yorkshire
Edgbaston
50L

Tuesday, May 16, 2017
Yorkshire v Leicestershire
Headingley
50L

Friday, May 19, 2017
Lancashire v Yorkshire
Emirates Old Trafford
CC 1

Saturday, May 27, 2017
Yorkshire v South Africa A
Headingley
TOM 1

Friday, June 02, 2017
Yorkshire v Lancashire
Headingley
CC 1

Friday, June 09, 2017
Somerset v Yorkshire
The Cooper Associates
County Ground
CC 1

Monday, June 19, 2017
Middlesex v Yorkshire
Lord's
CC 1

Monday, June 26, 2017
Yorkshire v Surrey
Headingley
CC 1

Monday, July 03, 2017
Yorkshire v Somerset
Scarborough
CC 1

Friday, July 07, 2017
Yorkshire v Nottinghamshire
Headingley
T20

Saturday, July 08, 2017
Derbyshire  v Yorkshire
Chesterfield
T20

Tuesday, July 11, 2017
Northamptonshire v Yorkshire
Northampton
T20

Friday, July 14, 2017
Lancashire v Yorkshire
Emirates Old Trafford
T20

Friday, July 21, 2017
Yorkshire v Birmingham Bears
Headingley
T20

Sunday, July 23, 2017
Yorkshire v Worcestershire
Headingley
T20

Wednesday, July 26, 2017
Yorkshire v Durham
Headingley
T20

Friday, July 28, 2017
Birmingham Bears v Yorkshire
Edgbaston
T20

Sunday, July 30, 2017
Nottinghamshire v Yorkshire
Trent Bridge
T20

Thursday, August 03, 2017
Yorkshire v Derbyshire
Headingley
T20

Friday, August 04, 2017
Durham v Yorkshire
Emirates Riverside
T20

Sunday, August 06, 2017
Yorkshire v Essex
Scarborough
CC 1

Friday, August 11, 2017
Yorkshire v Lancashire
Headingley
T20

Saturday, August 12, 2017
Leicestershire v Yorkshire
The Fischer County Ground, Grace Road
T20

Thursday, August 17, 2017
Yorkshire v Northamptonshire
Headingley
T20

Tuesday, September 05, 2017
Yorkshire v Middlesex
Headingley
CC 1

Tuesday, September 12, 2017
Surrey v Yorkshire
Kia Oval
CC 1

Tuesday, September 19, 2017
Yorkshire v Warwickshire
Headingley
CC 1

Monday, September 25, 2017
Essex v Yorkshire
Chelmsford
CC 1