Durham Match Thread 2018

[captaincolly]

This is becoming farcical now. One over and back off again for bad light.
Wicket tally in the other games is up to 34.

[Durhamfootman]

when I drove by the riverside park at 11.30, I did wonder for a moment if we were all out yet

I didn't need to worry seemingly.......... not at 11.30 anyway

blooming worried now

[captaincolly]

when I drove by the riverside park at 11.30, I did wonder for a moment if we were all out yet

I didn't need to worry seemingly.......... not at 11.30 anyway

blooming worried now

The customary 3 quick wickets then Steel and Richo with s 40 odd partnership then both out within 5 runs of each other!

[captaincolly]

Was that 90 from Patel on debut a fluke? Hardly scored a run since and just now Colly is out. 88 for 7 in awful conditions. Very gloomy and it's now raining! Staying on for now.
Have to have some sympathy for them here- a line-up with no confidencep up against a formidable attack with the conditions massively in their favour.

[captaincolly]

And now they're off for rain a ball after Colly was out. That won't improve his mood.

[sussexpob]

Will we get a result with this weather?

[captaincolly]

Will we get a result with this weather?

I think so. The forecast for the rest of today is a bit dodgy but looks fine for the rest of the match.

[Durhamfootman]

that's why I hate these no toss rules. massively disadvantages us

should be decent weather for the next 2 days so that gives Sussex time to bowl us out, rack up 300 and then bowl us out again for an innings win....... and still have the second of those 2 days to spare

might only need 250 runs to do that

[Durhamfootman]

it's been so dark today that i'm amazed we managed to get 27 overs in

floodlights must have been on all day

I hate floodlights........... helping to make us play in this sort of sh1t

[captaincolly]

that's why I hate these no toss rules. massively disadvantages us

should be decent weather for the next 2 days so that gives Sussex time to bowl us out, rack up 300 and then bowl us out again for an innings win....... and still have the second of those 2 days to spare

might only need 250 runs to do that

I think so. 250 could well be enough for the innings win.
The uncontested toss is a big disadvantage especially up here but I think our lineup will struggle in good conditions. Colly is having a shocker but his reputation and recent record means it has come as a surprise but the rest of them have either st best records and/or are relative rookies. Even Lees who should be a good signing has had a poor two years.
If Colly goes and we have a top 3 of Bancroft, Lees and Steel next year I think we will still need at least two middle order batsmen with proven records. Where we will get them is the slight problem!

[captaincolly]

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.

The one mitigating factor for me is that all of those middle order players have almost always been in against the new ball.
And if that's not bad enough we have the least number of bowling points ( and bizarrely more batting points than second placed Kent.)

[westoelad]

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?

[captaincolly]

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?

Yes. Can't get rid of everyone and despite my wish for a couple of new quality batters I can't see how we can find them so we should look at the other options in the squad.
Wood a real dilemna, our situation would be improved with a really hostile pace bowler because it'd take some pressure off the batsmen but will he ever stay fit enough to fulfil that role? Probably not so there may be a tricky decision to make depending on what sort of contract he gets with England (if he gets one at all. ) The other problem is with those other regularly injured bowlers - huge show of faith to give Carse another 3 years so I think a few others may be in the last chance saloon next year ( assuming they are all contracted for another season.)
Then what about Pringle? He must be on borrowed time.

[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.

[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!