The County Championship remains the premier first-class competition and is the “closest format to Test cricket” according to Kemar Roach.
Securing the services of stellar overseas talent has been a struggle in recent summers, largely due to an increasingly congested global calendar leading to scheduling conflicts, fitness management and a catalogue of injuries.
Roach, 35, is in the midst of his fifth county summer and fourth in a row at back-to-back champions Surrey.
The stint, which covers the first seven Championship fixtures, will act as preparation for the West Indies’ Test series against England which gets underway in July.
Appearing as a special guest on episode three of The Cricketer’s County Conversation podcast, the seamer remains a strong advocate of the four-day competition.
“County cricket for me is the closest format to Test cricket,” he said.
“Me being a Test cricketer I need to test myself to be at my peak in my Test or red-ball career.
“Coming to Surrey in a professional setup the facilities are amazing, the organisation is amazing.
“I rate the Championship highly, it is very challenging. The weather plays a big part of it, then the rain. Every day could be a possible different condition and I think that’s what makes it so exciting.
“I love that form and love that challenge.
“I’m willing to play four-day for as long as my body can hold up to do that.”