Who's Sorry Now: Down by the Riverside

[captaincolly]

Jennings interview with Emmerson was interesting. He spoke very well as ever and I've no doubt his affection for Durham us genuine. However he didn't exactly give the impression he was sorry to go!

[Durhamfootman]

not sure what I think about Smudgers return. I did like him as a player, and thought it was shocking the way he was treated both by the club and within the dressing room by players who should have known better, but at the same time he's had a pretty lean time of things at Hants. That Hanty fans will probably be chuffed that he's leaving, makes me a little worried about his return

perhaps the plan is for him to open with Latham and leave Steel at 3

[captaincolly]

not sure what I think about Smudgers return. I did like him as a player, and thought it was shocking the way he was treated both by the club and within the dressing room by players who should have known better, but at the same time he's had a pretty lean time of things at Hants. That Hanty fans will probably be chuffed that he's leaving, makes me a little worried about his return

perhaps the plan is for him to open with Latham and leave Steel at 3

If he can regain his touch that's not a bad top 3. Even if he grinds out 20's and 30's it'll take the shine off the new ball. Can't do any worse than Jennings who seems to have been out inside a few overs in every innings for months!

[westoelad]

Steel and Latham to open with Smith at 3 for me. If Pringle doesn't step up with the bat then he's the one to make way. We rarely need a spinner and we haven't got one so make do with Smith and Steel. Appears though that Pringle's place is sacrosanct.
Smith did well initially at Hants,seem to Remember he averaged 50 in his 1st year and last year managed 800+ runs in the 1st division. Seems the new coach after Benks left doesn't rate him and hasn't given him a chance this year. He's still averaging high 50's with the 2nd XI.

[Durhamfootman]

Jennings has score 470 runs this season with 1 ton and 1 50. Both were scored in the first 2 games of the season. over half of his season's runs were scored in those 2 matches. Since then he's scored 223 runs in 16 innings with 1 not out..... ave 14.87. Normally I'd blame the format change, but he scored 2 100's and 2 50's on his way to 460 runs in 8 knocks.

[captaincolly]

Jennings has score 470 runs this season with 1 ton and 1 50. Both were scored in the first 2 games of the season. over half of his season's runs were scored in those 2 matches. Since then he's scored 223 runs in 16 innings with 1 not out..... ave 14.87. Normally I'd blame the format change, but he scored 2 100's and 2 50's on his way to 460 runs in 8 knocks.

A horror run. Martin Emnerson seemed to be suggesting the div 2 pitches were factor but if that's the case how come Steel and Colly have scored so many runs. Latham scored nearly 400!

[Durhamfootman]

Even Cook managed to score just over 100 less runs and he only had half a season....... and was terrible to boot

[southwood]

Jennings has score 470 runs this season with 1 ton and 1 50. Both were scored in the first 2 games of the season. over half of his season's runs were scored in those 2 matches. Since then he's scored 223 runs in 16 innings with 1 not out..... ave 14.87. Normally I'd blame the format change, but he scored 2 100's and 2 50's on his way to 460 runs in 8 knocks.

A horror run. Martin Emnerson seemed to be suggesting the div 2 pitches were factor but if that's the case how come Steel and Colly have scored so many runs. Latham scored nearly 400!

[KingOttis]

Maybe I'm on my own here, but for me, this news beggars belief. I know that Onions maybe isn't the force of his peak years, and it's true he has started to pick up more niggling injuries. But to lose a club legend who has represented us so well for all these years - and who is averaging 23 with the ball this season - because we couldn't agree a two year contract is ridiculous in my opinion. TWO YEARS! Jesus wept. We have a squad so decimated that it can hold team meetings in a phone box, but are willing to let a proven performer leave in this way.
In addition, didn't Coughlin and Jennings sign new contracts last year? Wasn't that supposed to be the good news to counter-balance the departures of Stoneman and Borthwick? Now they're gone/going too. Seems as if Durham have dusted off their copy of "The Neville Chamberlain Guide to Negotiation" and are following it to the letter in all contract talks.
I really hoped we'd come back stronger after the gutting events of the close season, but it just seems to be one body blow after another - some sadly self inflicted.

well, first of all, welcome back KingOttis, good to hear from you again

I'm firmly of the opinion that if Coughlin and Jennings want to go, then they should. I have no interest in retaining players who want to be away, whatever their reasons. If they think their careers will be furthered somewhere else, then fair enough, but after the investment, faith and loyalty that the club showed to them in the fledgling part of their careers, I won't be wishing them well of it.

Different with Onions, and with Mustard last year... coming to the end of their careers and featuring less and less in our plans, if they can extend their careers by moving on, after providing us with years of loyal service, then I wish them every success. I was very happy when I saw that Phil had not only revitalised his waning career at Gloucs, but ended up becoming their captain... good man. I also firmly believe that their careers with us had gone as far as they could go.... end of their natural lifespan, as it were

Cheers DF - Although I don't often post, I read the page every day, and value the insights from everyone - it's reassuring to know that other folk are spending their days obsessing about Durham like I do. I agree with you about Coughlin and Jennings - depressing but such is life. The Onions decision still saddens me - I still think he would have been a great asset for us, even if he wasn't able to play every game. I'm glad that Will is coming back too. The way he left was a disgrace, and he will bring a good attitude and some grit to the batting line up. I'm hoping that they've got an ace fast bowler up their sleeves as well....

[KingOttis]

My batting line up so far:

Latham
Steel
Smith
Clark
Collingwood
Burnham
Richardson (wk)
Wood/Carse (injuries depending)
Weighell
Rushworth
A.N.Other (Ace Fast Bowler)

That's assuming that any of these players are still here next week...

[westoelad]

Stokes now in serious trouble.
https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/4563420/b ... icket-axe/

[captaincolly]

Stokes now in serious trouble.
https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/4563420/b ... icket-axe/

That does not look good. Might still be mitigating circumstances but the incident appears more serious than just a drunken push and shove. No wonder he hurt his hand!

[westoelad]

Stokes now in serious trouble.
https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/4563420/b ... icket-axe/

That does not look good. Might still be mitigating circumstances but the incident appears more serious than just a drunken push and shove. No wonder he hurt his hand!

Both the people he struck appear to be backing off with palms up. He's also aggressive to the person who's trying to placate him. He's showing serious anger issues which he can't control. He'll be ordered to partake in anger management courses and ECB will be under severe media pressure to impose sanctions.

[captaincolly]

Stokes now in serious trouble.
https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/4563420/b ... icket-axe/

That does not look good. Might still be mitigating circumstances but the incident appears more serious than just a drunken push and shove. No wonder he hurt his hand!

Both the people he struck appear to be backing off with palms up. He's also aggressive to the person who's trying to placate him. He's showing serious anger issues which he can't control. He'll be ordered to partake in anger management courses and ECB will be under severe media pressure to impose sanctions.

Yep, think he will lose the VC job and be forced into those courses.

Piers Morgan claims though that ,prior to the released , video footage Stokes and Hales were defending a gay couple from a homophobic attack by someone wielding a bottle as a weapon. How Morgan got this info and if it is accurate remains to be seen but if he is correct it casts a whole different light on proceedings. I have a feeling Morgan might be correct - he was one of the first to mention a hand injury - and his source is probably KP.

[captaincolly]

FTECB now say Stokes and Hales will not be considered for selection " until further notice." Presumably in effect it just means they won't play tomorrow - and Stokes wouldn't have played in any case.
Both suspended on full play during the disciplinary process.