Durham Match Thread 2019

[captaincolly]

We opted to have a toss, Middlesex won it and chose to bowl. Interesting!

Sounds ominous.

Yep. At least it'll get the first innings collapse out of the way with!

[westoelad]

As suspected, Salisbury and Trevaskis omitted. Looks curtains for Clark if he can't get in this squad.

[captaincolly]

As suspected, Salisbury and Trevaskis omitted. Looks curtains for Clark if he can't get in this squad.

I think so. Especially as his white ball form has also gone.
Looking at the batting lineup I guess most captains would be keen to bowl first so the toss might have been one captain looking at the conditions and the other one looking at our batting.

[captaincolly]

80/4 with Harte out in the over before lunch!
And all this after a half century opening stand that might suggest wanting to bat was not a blunder.
That said 80/4 is by our standards a good start.

[Durhamfootman]

after being inserted game after game, you'd think we might fancy a change when we got the chance

[captaincolly]

after being inserted game after game, you'd think we might fancy a change when we got the chance

Certainly a bold move! Especially as Middlesex wanted to bowl.

[Durhamfootman]

maybe we thought it was a double bluff?

[captaincolly]

maybe we thought it was a double bluff?

Yep!
Franklin should be a good judge of the conditions at Lord's.
I do wonder how much - if at all - these decisions take into account the strengths of the battlng and bowling sides?
It could be that conditions are good for batting but Middlesex wanted to bowl against our fragile lineup regardless.

[Durhamfootman]

looks as though it was us who got it wrong

[captaincolly]

looks as though it was us who got it wrong

Yep. Another predictable collapse and this time there isn't even the excuse of having the middle order in after about five minutes.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Two down. Game on.

[captaincolly]

Two down. Game on.

77/6! This is where it usually goes wrong-Malan still there and their lower order must be one of the most dangerous on the circuit.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Ball is only 24 overs old though. Back in the game at least.

[captaincolly]

Ball is only 24 overs old though. Back in the game at least.

Yep. Should really get a first innings lead with the deficit still 70 but...

[captaincolly]

87/7 with Malan out just before the close. Game could be over tomorrow at this rate - obviously must not let those last 3 wickets do any damage in the morning.