Durham match thread 2023

[captaincolly]

Stan has lost control in his second spell. Firing full tosses down leg, front foot no balls, no balled on height, wides. The second of this spell was a 9 ball over.

Is there the outside possibility of Potts being sent up the road tomorrow if he isn't named in the Lords XI?

I think there might be. According to The Times the selection could be made today or in the morning. Sounds as if they are hopeful about Moeen so if we have Potts Leicestershire could have Rehan Ahmed. Ideal scenario would be to decide on the seamers tonight and wait until the last minute to decide on Moeen. I know nothing of these things but it seems to me that an injury caused by lack of bowling would be as much - or even more - of an issue in this test but the vibes are that they are keen for him to.play.

[Durhamfootman]

another chance from Mulder. Attmpted pull, top edged and just evades the flying Robinson before running down to the 3rd man boundary. Looked as though he got the tips of his gloves on it, but it would have been one hell of a catch

[Durhamfootman]

Ackers passed 10,000 FC runs on the way to this hundred

[Durhamfootman]

we thought we had him then. Raine bouncer taken by Robbo. Everyone went up, but it was off the helmet not bat or glove.

[captaincolly]

Ackers passed 10,000 FC runs on the way to this hundred

Seemed something inevitable about him getting a century. Has a top score of 277 not out...
.

[Durhamfootman]

long old day

Ackers previous best against us was 82 last year at the riverside, I think

[Durhamfootman]

I think these two hold the record CC stand for the 5th wicket.... was it 470 or something? That's probably when he scored his 277

[captaincolly]

I think these two hold the record CC stand for the 5th wicket.... was it 470 or something? That's probably when he scored his 277

Probably was.

[captaincolly]

Were you watching when he got to the hundred? Big celebration ir a muted one?

[Durhamfootman]

no, I was busy with something else. I heard the applause but I didn't actually see the boundary.

edit: I had a look and he just took off his helmet and raised his bat to acknowledge the applause, got a hug off Mulder and then went back to the crease

we could do with breaking this partnership early in the morning, because we don't want to spend all day in the field tomorrow, concede a 100 or 150 run lead and then have to bat on a wearing day 4 pitch against 2 and perhaps 3 spinners (Ahmed) with nothing to lose. That would be a disaster after declaring relatively early

[captaincolly]

no, I was busy with something else. I heard the applause but I didn't actually see the boundary.

edit: I had a look and he just took off his helmet and raised his bat to acknowledge the applause, got a hug off Mulder and then went back to the crease

we could do with breaking this partnership early in the morning, because we don't want to spend all day in the field tomorrow, concede a 100 or 150 run lead and then have to bat on a wearing day 4 pitch against 2 and perhaps 3 spinners (Ahmed) with nothing to lose. That would be a disaster after declaring relatively early

Yes. that's the nightmare scenario. I wouldn't have declared with our attack and after the ease with which we scored- should have tried to get 600 plus

[captaincolly]

I actually think that the way we batted yesterday - and for the majority of the season - gives us time to have a more normal declaration time wise. We'd have either got bowled out quickly so no time wasted, or very quickly have completely batted them out of it completely- which would represent quite a feat after 4 and a half sessions of the game. I also think their openers would have preferred to face half an hour of overs before lunch than.come in after another soell in the field.

[Durhamfootman]

We got through the lower order pretty well this morning.... finished off by Potts just after lunch for a 95 run lead

45-0 in reply so the lead is 140.

The question now is how quickly will we score and what will we declare on, because we surely will.... won't we?

[captaincolly]

We got through the lower order pretty well this morning.... finished off by Potts just after lunch for a 95 run lead

45-0 in reply so the lead is 140.

The question now is how quickly will we score and what will we declare on, because we surely will.... won't we?

I think we will but also think we shouldn't! Any 4th innings chase will be over a short period of time and - even with Potts - the chances of 10 wickets seem remote...but a batting said scoring at the requited rate is quite likely, especially if they feel the wicket is good enough for them to shut up shop if they get into trouble.
Imo the least likely result from a declaration is we win. If we don't get bowled out I would not declare unless we're certain the target is impossible. But that won't be what they're thinking...forecast a bit iffy tomorrow, might be for the best!

[Durhamfootman]

Jones out to Salisbury