Take me to the Riverside 2026

[Durhamfootman]

Bedders will miss the last 3 games of the season. He's had an early recall from CSA, despite them not playing a test until October.

Still.... he's around for the next 2 matches and hopefully promotion will be a formality by the time he departs

Hopefully, although a dodgy forecast for the Gloucestershire game.

yes, it looks grim

[captaincolly]

This is tempting fate but, if there is a reasonable amount of play, form suggests it might not take long to force a result. Although losing the unbeaten run against a team adrift at the bottom of the table would be a Durham thing.
According to The Cricketer Mitch Killeen could join the visitors on loan- his move to Essex seemed odd at the time and hasn't worked out so far.

[Durhamfootman]

might work out better next season for him. Essex seem to be heading towards a period of flux player wise

[Durhamfootman]

David Bedingham has extended his contract to at least the end of this season

Lovely fella, great player, been very good for us, but his new status as a SA player screwed us last year. He was hardly ever here and when he was he had his mind on other things. A total waste of an overseas player. I had hoped that his contract was up at the end of last season, so that we could find an alternative player who would actually be around and not missing CC matches because he had to fly to JoBurg for a SA team dinner

5 centuries this season answers that. He misses the last 3 matches to join up with SA, but he's done his work for this season. Let's see what happens next year. He made some comment about not wanting to mess Durham around should his heavy SA winter mean that he just wants a few months rest next season. I suspect that if he was to take a county season break in '27, then the following year he'll probably end up at a different county, so we should enjoy him while we can. He looked imperious today

[captaincolly]

Yes, I agree. I wouldn't be surprised if he isn't here next year. Superb plsyer.

[Durhamfootman]

Argawal has signed for the last 4 games. Looks as though Bedders is away early, 57 runs short of 1000 runs for the season

[andy]

Wonder if woody might step away from the game soon and move into commentary? Seems to have been a huge hit

[Durhamfootman]

I'm sure he would like that, but he may feel he has unfinished business before then. I think he's been lucky to have had the career he's had. Not many test nations would or could have afforded him the financial security he received, whilst out injured.

[captaincolly]

Argawal has signed for the last 4 games. Looks as though Bedders is away early, 57 runs short of 1000 runs for the season

I wonder if this is an indication that Bedingham might not be back next year and this is an audition for a potential replacement? Another 35 year old!

[captaincolly]

I'm sure he would like that, but he may feel he has unfinished business before then. I think he's been lucky to have had the career he's had. Not many test nations would or could have afforded him the financial security he received, whilst out injured.

He was talking on TMS during the first test and pretty much said he is going to give himself one more chance to see of he can come back but I think the odds are against him. Hopefully I'll be wrong about that - he's almost certain to lose hia central contract so that's another issue.

[andy]

I'm sure he would like that, but he may feel he has unfinished business before then. I think he's been lucky to have had the career he's had. Not many test nations would or could have afforded him the financial security he received, whilst out injured.

Will he actually come back though? Been a while since he played now and only going to get harder to come back

[Durhamfootman]

3 year extension for Pottsy

Stokes has signed for Adelaide in the BBL

[captaincolly]

Apparently Potts turned down big offers from other counties.
Has to be a fair chance that he will lose his central contract- Carse as well - made unavailable for this game because of workload management.

[Durhamfootman]

Trevaskis to leave Leics at the end of the season, with no contract extension offered. I thought he might do well there, but seemingly not

Burnopfield?

[captaincolly]

Trevaskis to leave Leics at the end of the season, with no contract extension offered. I thought he might do well there, but seemingly not

Burnopfield?

He might have been unlucky because they have had a resurgence- Leicestershire that is! Useful cricketer and it's a shame it hasn't worked out for him.