Durham Match Thread 2021

[captaincolly]

Essex have lost 4 wickets in double quick time- coincidentally or not the floodlights are on. I79-5 to 182/9.

[captaincolly]

182 all out!

[captaincolly]

Bizarre few hours play - 5 wickets in the best part of two sessions and then 11 more before the close!
Going to need something from Eckersley and the bowling all-rounders in the morning.
Still, it was great to be back and see DFM! We were both surprised when Jones came in at number 4 - seemed a bizarre decision.

[Durhamfootman]

I've been to the cricket.... woo hoo!

of course Durham took a clatter of wickets while I was driving down to the ground, so I missed it, but I didn't miss watching....... Durham getting skittled for nowt

I have to say how impressed I was with the Essex seamers... that's a fine trio of bowlers. They gave nothing away, and I do mean nothing. Siddle bowled a 9 over spell, I think Cook's second spell was 10 overs long and they created pressure with unrelenting accuracy... asking questions all the time.

A lot of lbws given, Lees I couldn't tell from where I was sitting, Borthwick was stone dead going back into his crease and playing so late that he was overbalancing as the ball hit his pad. Bangers looked unlucky.... he was on the walk when the ball hit him so it would be hard to say that the umpire wasn't guessing, certainly Bancroft was distraught to be given out. Burnham looked dead. For some reason I thought Jones had been bowled, but the card says lbw.

Odd balls kept low, but really it was all down to the bowling and we crumbled under the pressure. Harmer might not have to bother turning his arm over in this match

obviously the one batsman to score any significant runs was Pepper..... yes, that's what I said too. of course it was his career best score.... isn't it always that way with Durham?

[Durhamfootman]

As the Capt said, we just couldn't understand why Jones was promoted up the order. He was down to bat 6 afaik; Bedders has batted 4 all season and scored a sackful of runs; Burnham had recently scored a ton at 5; we were in deep trouble, with the bowlers well on top, so we sent the kid we are trying to develop, out ahead of the others when we needed to rebuild

I have no idea why. It beggars belief really

[captaincolly]

Scorchingly hot day. Unfortunately for us this partnership has surely put the result beyond doubt - the target is almost certainly going to be over 300 and with their attack Essex probably have enough already. Although batting looks to be getting easier- probably due to the weather and an older ball .
Good crowd in again, quite a few Essex supporters as well.
Interesting atmosphere- quite jovial despite the match situation, people probably are just pleased to be back.

[Durhamfootman]

I'm not heading down today. Feeling quite tired after my 3 consecutive days at work

I'll head down tomorrow to watch us being routed

[captaincolly]

I'm not heading down today. Feeling quite tired after my 3 consecutive days at work

I'll head down tomorrow to watch us being routed

They don't look like getting a wicket so...I'm sure the game will go into tomorrow...unless Essex collapse and we have an hour or so to bat!

[captaincolly]

And guess what happened the ball after I said we didn't look like getting a wicket!!

[captaincolly]

Excellent weather again so there'll be no stay of execution!

[Durhamfootman]

So 385 is the target and 4 balls in we haven't lost a wicket

so it's going better than expected

[captaincolly]

I see Jones is in at 4 again. I suppose he might as well given this is surely a lost cause - if he gets runs it'll do him good and if he doesn't it won't matter. However, surely he'd be better off having a run of games at 6.
Borthwick out after getting a start - suspect that'll annoy him more than the single figure scores. I don't think I'll go down today...I'll go tomorrow!

[Durhamfootman]

I'll see you there

I'll be too hot today anyway.... we'd just fry and feel exhausted later after a hard day sitting doing nothing

[captaincolly]

I'll see you there

I'll be too hot today anyway.... we'd just fry and feel exhausted later after a hard day sitting doing nothing

Exactly!

[captaincolly]

It's a pity they didn't bat this way in the first innings. Surely they couldn't get the runs? Still more chance of a post-tea collapse but if they don't tomorrow will be interesting after all!