Cricket-Match-Special ... A forum for discussion

Durhamfootman wrote:he would if it was England batting coach.... probably pays a lot more than Scotland head coach

I saw an article about Colly's career (can't remember where) and it mentioned him blowing most of his England riches on bad investments, so I guess the money matters

He lost a considerable amount on one investment but sued the financial advisor and was compensated. Obviously his marriage breakdown would have been costly but He's had lucrative playing and coaching positions worldwide full-time since. His home is currently on the market for >£1m.

westoelad wrote:Both London Evening Standard and Yorkshire Post carrying articles about North becoming Director of Cricket at Durham. Standard cock up media release by Durham with members getting the mushroom treatment.

Daily Telegraph also reporting it as a done deal.

Woody in ODI squad for Sri Lanka which means he's still on England radar and suggests another white ball cricket contract is in the offing.

westoelad wrote:Woody in ODI squad for Sri Lanka which means he's still on England radar and suggests another white ball cricket contract is in the offing.

Excellent news.

Might not be related to Durham but Martin Emmerson tweeted advising people to follow his timeline tomorrow. Could be an announcement about Cook's replacement ?

dare we hope for JJB?

Durhamfootman wrote:dare we hope for JJB?

Maybe he will be 'moved upstairs'?! I still think it'll be Marcus North with Lewis staying as coach but maybe Colly's retirement will have led to a rethink?
Speaking of Colly, I had a text from someone I chat with at the ground ,who is away next week so will miss his final game, saying he hopes the other 10 players also making their farewell appearances in the same game won't be overlooked with all the focus on Colly!

gawd bless them all. Been a tough year. hopefully it will get better next year. New signings and perhaps we can get some of them away down under again

I was going to question the value of these grade cricket excursions, but the alternative might be working on their skills with JJB over the winter.... a bloke who averaged about 30

although this season we'd probably have bitten off the hand of any player averaging 25

only Steel is averaging more than 25, and he's only on 29.... and that's probably only because of his ton last week

imagine where we'd be without Rushy's 57 wickets at less than 20

Yep. Lees looks good and Steel has shown signs that last season wasn't a total fluke , add Bancroft and the top 3 looks decent at least and could be very good in the best case scenario. Raine coming in with 50 wickets this year and more than useful with the bat should help out a great deal. Rushy, Raine and Salisbury should be a potent attack.
Seems to me as if the middle order is the big worry - they'll not find a like for like replacement for Colly who is a once in a lifetime cricketer but unless they bring in at least 2 players of proven ability I think we will struggle. Then again if that top 3 work well it'll take some of the pressure off and the improved bowling attack will also help.

confirmation of North as DoC.
https://www.durhamccc.co.uk/news-and-me ... f-cricket/

How much of this is based on inner knowledge or pure conjecture?
https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/m ... e-15181228
Presumably North had a say in the recent player signings, let's hope he can appoint a quality batting coach.

westoelad wrote:How much of this is based on inner knowledge or pure conjecture?
https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/m ... e-15181228
Presumably North had a say in the recent player signings, let's hope he can appoint a quality batting coach.

The batting coach addition was mentioned in the Evening Standard article a few days ago so it might suggest someone is already in the frame.
It sounds as if North's role will be one where he'll carry the can if it all goes wrong! Let's hope it doesn't, no reason why he can't be successful but his first priority imo should be to find a couple of quality middle order batsmen and then decide on the captaincy.

okay, so North it is

time will tell

didn't he make some comments earlier in the year, which seemed a bit odd? something to do with using South North more, or something? damn this useless goldfish memory I just seem to remember thinking 'what's it got to do with you'... well now we know.... this might have been on the cards for most of this season. I wonder if GC knew?