The 2001 County Championship season, known as the CricInfo Championship for sponsorship reasons, was contested through two divisions: Division One and Division Two.
Each team plays all the others in their division both home and away.
The top three teams from Division Two were promoted to the first division for 2002, while the bottom three sides from Division 1 are relegated.
Team promoted from Division Two Team relegated from Division One Teams receive 12 points for a win, 6 for a tie and 4 for a draw.
Bonus points (a maximum of 5 batting points and 3 bowling points) may be scored during the first 130 overs of each team's first innings.