Durham Match Thread 2018

[westoelad]

Worry for me is that McCarthy's omission today suggests that he's turned down a new contract. Wood's omission from the CC suggests it's finally been decided by him or FTECB or both that he's not fit for 4 day cricket. Let's hope he gets another ECB contract or becomes a T20 freelance.

T20 freelance seems to be increasingly likely. He must still not be fit for 4 day cricket and there's been nothing much said at all.
I think McCarthy was in the squad so he might just have picked up an injury in the warm ups - or they decided conditions were more suited to Rimmington.
Hopefully I'll be able to go along to this members forum tomorrow. I wonder which hapless player will be there? Probably Rushworth or Salisbury!

It irritates me that Colly doesn't attend Forums as a matter of routine-he is club captain.Just another indicator to me of his lack of respect to members.

[captaincolly]

Worry for me is that McCarthy's omission today suggests that he's turned down a new contract. Wood's omission from the CC suggests it's finally been decided by him or FTECB or both that he's not fit for 4 day cricket. Let's hope he gets another ECB contract or becomes a T20 freelance.

T20 freelance seems to be increasingly likely. He must still not be fit for 4 day cricket and there's been nothing much said at all.
I think McCarthy was in the squad so he might just have picked up an injury in the warm ups - or they decided conditions were more suited to Rimmington.
Hopefully I'll be able to go along to this members forum tomorrow. I wonder which hapless player will be there? Probably Rushworth or Salisbury!

It irritates me that Colly doesn't attend Forums as a matter of routine-he is club captain.Just another indicator to me of his lack of respect to members.

Yeah. He should be there for all of them , he's been to a few and always speaks well. Despite his poor form and the results I can't imagine he'd get lambasted given his years of stellar service. Unless he doesn't want go in case anyone asks any awkward questions about him replacing Lewis!
Then again if this is going to be his last season as a player maybe he will turn out tomorrow night!

[westoelad]

I wouldn't envisage Colly getting criticised but I do feel that Colly is the conduit with Botham on playing issues and is, therefore,better qualified to speak on such issues than Lewis.

[westoelad]

Lewis thinks 150 is a par 1st inns score on this pitch.
http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport/ ... or-durham/

[captaincolly]

Lewis thinks 150 is a par 1st inns score on this pitch.
http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport/ ... or-durham/

I think in the conditions today 150 would have been decent - trouble is we probably won't get that many and it's a much better forecast for tomorrow but if we somehow can get up to that score I'd expect our bowlers to cause problems - now I've said that Sussex will probably get 400!
This uncontested toss rule should be ditched, it by no means excuses our dire batting performances but playing at home is a disadvantage with the ruling. That said I think the standard of the pitches has been pretty poor regardless of the overhead conditions. I have a feeling our formidable bowling attack in previous years would have run riot in these conditions and every match would have been over in about 2 days!

[Durhamfootman]

The ones today :
Lees - should be a good signing but aside from the difficulties opening at CLS he has had poor two years so no guarantee of a return to the good days. The fact that I expect him to do well will probably put the mockers on.
Steel - jury still out. Obviously worth persevering with and has had a few decent scores.
Smith - many admirable qualities but never known for churning out the runs.
Clark- think he's the leading scorer but doesn't inspire confidence despite his T20 runs.
Richo - keeps getting out after making starts and has a pretty ordinary track record over a long time.
Colly- having a shocker and all the signs are he's close to the end.
Poynter- 1 big hundred to boost the average and a few decent innings but not quite good enough for FC cricket imo. Although he might be useful if the top 6 was stronger.
Patel-not going to be here next year.

I rate Steel, bearing in mind rating values have a low threshold when assessing our lot.
Jury out on Lees.
Agree about Smith but he should only be a temporary fix in any case.c
Can't get rid of them all so I'd persist with Clark.
Sad about Colly-should have gone after the T20.
I'd persist with Richardson, ditto as Clark.
Think Poytner has improved.
Must give Harte and Davies chances in the last 2 games.
And finally-what are we going to do about Wood?

I'm hopeful for Lees
I like Steel and think he'll prosper more at 3 once Bancroft arrives
Clark at 4 will do for me... something i never thought I'd say, a couple of years ago
Richardson has been here an awfully long time now, and while I've always been hopeful for him, he's not really delivered. If he isn't going to keep wicket, then he doesn't get in the team as a specialist bat, for me
I think Colly will stay away tomorrow to spare JJB's blushes.. I'd love to see him take over
Poynter has improved, but I remain unconvinced unless it really is that he can only be effective when in the Buttler role of quickly taking the game away after a good start.... in which case he'll probably need another county if he wants to fulfill his potential
Ideally Wood plays and bats 8. If he can't do it every game, maybe he has to rotate with Weighell who also seems to have injury concerns

I have no idea who will be our spinner, but the arrival of Raine, as a genuine all rounder at 6, opens up the space to play one

[captaincolly]

Great start. 103/9.

[captaincolly]

Great start. 103/9.

Make that 103 all out.

[captaincolly]

Wicket in the first over for Rushworth.

[Durhamfootman]

and another

there will be a big stand somewhere down the line though

I think we'll have another 2 day game, even though only 27 overs were bowled yesterday

[captaincolly]

and another

there will be a big stand somewhere down the line though

I think we'll have another 2 day game, even though only 27 overs were bowled yesterday

Yep. There's enough depth in their batting to practically guarantee a stand that will completely take the match away. If they need around 150 in the last innings we'd probably have a realistic chance but I can't see how we'll get enough runs.
They're halfway to our score but have just lost a 4th wicket.

[Durhamfootman]

51-4 after 12 overs

that means we have 8 overs to clear them out before the ball goes dead and they put on a 100 run late order partnership

[captaincolly]

51-4 after 12 overs

that means we have 8 overs to clear them out before the ball goes dead and they put on a 100 run late order partnership

Yep. Imagine if the match does finish ,or is essentially finished ,just before the members forum.

[captaincolly]

Rimmington 1.1 overs and 12 runs!

[Durhamfootman]

5 runs stand for the 5th wicket

doesn't feel like a match defining partnership yet , but imagine if they add another 30 runs to that