Durham Match Thread 2018

[st_brendy]

Pace off. All about pace off.

I wonder why nobody else sees it?

FTECB don't want to see it, of course, because they want 200 plays 201 matches, and the fact that they usually get 200 plays 101 seems not to worry them... fair enough... they can hope for whatever they want, but any club led by a coach with half a brain won't ever give FTECB what they want, because it almost certainly won't be in the club's interest

we sadly are led by a coach who doesn't seem to have the requisite half a brain

Frustratingly, we've become guilty of it in recent years. Before Benks joined us, we were all about pace off. The entire attack. And the results, in both white ball formats, spoke for themselves. But since Benks joined - and now under White, post Benks - suddenly the likes of Fidel and Best have popped up with a white ball in their hand. Pulled my hair out everytime.

Thankfully we've put that right in the last two weeks (Wood replacing Fidel), whilst the signing of a spinner for t20 hopefully suggests it will continue over the forthcoming weeks/months.

[captaincolly]

Then again our game plan in this tournament seemed to revolve around having someone renowned as a wonderful middle order batsman in one day cricket opening the batting for the first time in about 15 years when we tried it and quickly realised it didn't work!

yet we keep trying it

and play someone with a lot of experience as an opener coming in at 4

An international opener as well , I know he's been batting in the middle order latterly in ODI cricket but that's as a keeper and with top class players above him. Colly must literally be the most experienced middle order batsman out of all the current players , he's been doing it for over 20 years!

[westoelad]

Has Latham been elected T20 captain?. If not cries out for Smith to be given the job -experienced, intelligent cricketer.

[captaincolly]

Has Latham been elected T20 captain?. If not cries out for Smith to be given the job -experienced, intelligent cricketer.

I think Latham has been announced as the T20 captain but Smith would be a much better option - and if Colly misses any CC games with his injury Smith must replace him as skipper.

[southwood]

After45.2 overs Notts 192-8
After45.3 overs Durham 207-7!
Dixon's bowling undoubtedly cost is the game but the blame lies with Latham for giving a paceman his full allocation on a slow wicket. Pringle bowled his full allocation economically yet Smith wasn't called on.

The performance was like the curate's egg - good in parts. They had Notts struggling early on but failed to to keep the pressure on -Mullaney dropped or badly missed in the 70's. Then Dixon was taken apart in the death overs and not for the first time. It reminded me of the semi final in 2008 was Van Jarsveld mounted and onslaught on Colly ,if my memory serves.

The batting was sound until Richardson then Smith both got out to simple catches in the deep leaving too much for the tail to deal with.Although slightly behind the pace, the innings was set up nicely for acceleration. No solid performance either from Harte today which had been a feature of the Worcs and Leics wins.

[westoelad]

Bonus from Harte was a tidy bowling.performance. It was the type of wicket where you needed time to play yourself in. Needed either Smith or Richardson to see it through to the end.

[southwood]

Bonus from Harte was a tidy bowling.performance. It was the type of wicket where you needed time to play yourself in. Needed either Smith or Richardson to see it through to the end.

[Durhamfootman]

Has Latham been elected T20 captain?. If not cries out for Smith to be given the job -experienced, intelligent cricketer.

I think Latham has been announced as the T20 captain but Smith would be a much better option - and if Colly misses any CC games with his injury Smith must replace him as skipper.

Latham is t20 skip as far as I am aware.

No Harmison around to continually undermine Smith, either

[captaincolly]

Has Latham been elected T20 captain?. If not cries out for Smith to be given the job -experienced, intelligent cricketer.

I think Latham has been announced as the T20 captain but Smith would be a much better option - and if Colly misses any CC games with his injury Smith must replace him as skipper.

Latham is t20 skip as far as I am aware.

No Harmison around to continually undermine Smith, either

Yep. Smith must be a resilient character because he has certainly had a lot to deal with over the years but nothing seems to keep him down for long. Whilst I was very pleased to have him back there was a worry that he might be well past his best but he seems much like his old self - no world beater but a very good county cricketer.

[captaincolly]

Seconds first innings against Lancashire went well - all out for 128 and Carse ( who looks to be playing as a batsman ) made 42 with Coughlin and Steel each getting 28! And extras 'scored' 16.

[captaincolly]

Seconds first innings against Lancashire went well - all out for 128 and Carse ( who looks to be playing as a batsman ) made 42 with Coughlin and Steel each getting 28! And extras 'scored' 16.

Lancashire currently 349/3! Although to be fair one of the centurions is Chanderpaul.

[captaincolly]

Squad for tomorrow.
Graham Clark, Gareth Harte, Michael Richardson, Tom Latham (c), Will Smith, Ryan Davies, Stuart Poynter (wk), Ryan Pringle, Mark Wood, Matt Dixon, Barry McCarthy, Matt Salisbury

Salisbury is another loan signing:

The 25-year-old, who is currently contracted with MCC Young Cricketers, joins the Club after impressing in Second XI outings earlier in the year.

Formerly of Essex & Hampshire, Salisbury has played 16 first-class matches, picking up 27 wickets with a best of 4/50 against Worcestershire in 2014.

He has also featured six times in List A cricket & eight times in T20s, all of which came during Essex’s 2014 T20 campaign.

We'll have to wait and see but if he's a good bowler then how come he seems to have drifted out of the first class game? Unless he's struggled with injuries in which case we are probably sure to sign him.

[captaincolly]

His last FC outing ( for Hampshire v Lancashire in June last year ) doesn't inspire confidence 2/127 in an innings defeat! And he came on second change.

[westoelad]

He had some impressive figures for the 2nds in recent weeks and,let's face it, we're no longer an attractive proposition thanks to FTECB.

[captaincolly]

He had some impressive figures for the 2nds in recent weeks and,let's face it, we're no longer an attractive proposition thanks to FTECB.

True. Let's hope he makes a good impression - he might need to although tomorrow's game doesn't matter. It'd make sense to give Davies a game and McCarthy.