Durham Match Thread 2024

[Durhamfootman]

and there was something a bit funny about the Raine dismissal. When the keeper took the ball, it was first slip who screamed out loud and immediately ran to the bowler, the appeals from the keeper and bowler were slightly delayed. Raine didn't look as though he thought he nicked it, although it was impossible to tell if he was just hoping he hadn't hit it. The umpire's finger went up the moment he didn't walk off, so it probably was out, but I was immediately reminded of that appeal by Viv Richards all those decades ago, when he suddenly screamed and ran straight up to the bowler and the umpire put his finger up on the strength of Richard's reaction. Yet replays later showed that the batsman had missed the ball by about a foot and Richards was simply conning the umpire. Maybe I was way off the mark, but that image immediately popped up in my head

[captaincolly]

I don't know anything about pitch preparation either but the groundsman was on commentary yesterday and said , because the covers had been on in the buildup, he expected it to offer assistance in the first part of the game. In that case Borthwick got the decision right for once.
I wasn't there for the Raine dismissal but there was plenty of chuntering about it !

[Durhamfootman]

I watched it back on the match feed and the ball did move in the air as it passed the bat, but the keeper didn't appeal at all

[captaincolly]

I watched it back on the match feed and the ball did move in the air as it passed the bat, but the keeper didn't appeal at all

Sounds like ab unfortunate dismissal. Just as well it didn't prove costly.

[captaincolly]

Who is captaining the T20? Lees or Turner?

[Durhamfootman]

I don't know. I'm going to say Lees, but I don't know

we were deducted a point for the over rate.

[captaincolly]

I don't know. I'm going to say Lees, but I don't know

we were deducted a point for the over rate.

Ridiculous to get docked a point for a game that finished before tea on day 2.

[Slipstream]

Raine was batting with Siddle when I had to go out and when I came back Durham had won. I couldn't believe it!!!!! Somerset's highest score was 16.

Bedingham 6 matches 795 runs at 88.33 - 5 hundreds and a fifty
Stokes 2 matches 15 wickets at 16.40

WOW!!!!!

[Durhamfootman]

just as well, really, because our top six and our bowling attack have been less dependable this year, so we're heavily reliant on the two of them playing out of their skins

[Durhamfootman]

Stokes bowled really well. I was sitting behind some Somerset fans and I overheard one of them commenting to his mate that Stokes was asking questions with every ball.... and he was right. He fully deserved his wickets yesterday

[Durhamfootman]

I don't know. I'm going to say Lees, but I don't know

we were deducted a point for the over rate.

Ridiculous to get docked a point for a game that finished before tea on day 2.

I don't mind that, tbh

I don't think anyone is more critical of slow over rates than me, but Somerset were on the rack and it would have been foolish to bring on spin at each end for 10 overs to try and catch up the over rate. Imagine if Gregory and Overton were suddenly handed the opportunity to get off the hook and plundered 50 quick runs and then had their eye in when the seamers came back. The next day's forecast was awful, so a century partnership either side of tea might have been enough for them to walk away with a rain affected draw.

Far better to get the win, even if it meant sacrificing a point or two on the way

Over rate rules should be enforced. If administrators give sportsmen the opportunity to take the ssip, it is always in their nature to take it with both hands and then push it as far as they possibly can

[captaincolly]

Yes, I can see the argument in favour - and definitely agree it would have been foolish to get spinners on - but it feels annoying to lose a point when there's a positive result.

[westoelad]

Entirely Durham’s fault. They took 4 hours to bowl 52 overs in Somerset’s 1st innings.I.e. 13 overs/hr. No excuse.

[Durhamfootman]

I'm getting a very bad feeling about Ollie Robinson

facing a huge total for an unlikely win, he thumped 171 at a great rate of knots under the eye of the England skipper and has taken a lot of catches when the England skipper has been bowling

Down at Southampton, Surrey are facing a similarly monstrous total, which they aren't going to get anywhere near and Ben Foakes has 14 off 95 balls. Hanging around for 95 balls when trying to bat out for a hopeful rain intervention is an admirable thing.... but is it what Stokes is looking for?

I have this terrible feeling that we're going to lose OR for the last part of the season

[captaincolly]

I'm getting a very bad feeling about Ollie Robinson

facing a huge total for an unlikely win, he thumped 171 at a great rate of knots under the eye of the England skipper and has taken a lot of catches when the England skipper has been bowling

Down at Southampton, Surrey are facing a similarly monstrous total, which they aren't going to get anywhere near and Ben Foakes has 14 off 95 balls. Hanging around for 95 balls when trying to bat out for a hopeful rain intervention is an admirable thing.... but is it what Stokes is looking for?

I have this terrible feeling that we're going to lose OR for the last part of the season

Apparently Foakes is struggling with an injury but I agree with you. Steve James had an article in the paper arguing thar Jamie Smith should be selected ( even though he has been playing for Surrey as a batter only - that might change if Foakes isn't fit for the next red ball game). Robinson was the other option ...and having the test captain watching ( from the pavilion unfortunately!) him must boost his chances.

James's reasoning was what you allude to - he thinks Bairstow is past his best and that Foakes isn't dynamic enough with the bat whereas Smith and Robinson are.