Durham match thread 2023

[captaincolly]

Might as well stay for the forum. Will report back!

[Durhamfootman]

I forgot about the forum

[captaincolly]

I forgot about the forum

Not a lot to report. Maybe the highlight was when Alex Lees was asked about the Yorkshire sanctions! Awkward question but be pretty much said he thought they were fortunate to have the deduction this season as opposed to next. Campbell said his initial thought was that current players shouldn't be penalised for past deeds but that was before he met them! Presumably a joke :

Miguel Pretorius was there and he gave a vague answer when asked how long he was here for - perhaps he doesn't know but there was no mention of Todd Murphy.

Campbell said if we get promoted it's going to be tough because he expects Potts and Carse to play for England and that it might mean a different approach to overseas signings- presumably getting a seamer in as opposed to a spinner unless he meant Bedingham won't be here.

He said we don't have the budget to have the squad depth of some other clubs so are reliant on the youngsters stepping up when required - then implied they aren't doing it because of ordinary performances in the seconds and club cricket! He said the best players should be dominating not just doimg OK.

Clark keeping wicket in this competition because it allows us to play the extra bowler.

Campbell also mentioned a WhatsApp group where he was gloating about retaining the Ashes but forgot that Stokes was part of the group!

[Durhamfootman]

not too much to report, then

Did anyone ask about Murphy?

[captaincolly]

not too much to report, then

Did anyone ask about Murphy?

No. There was just a question from Ash Thorp, about how long Pretorius is here for , that received a vague reply.

[Durhamfootman]

well.... we're flying at Hove. 100 up in 13 overs, so on 360/370 pace atm

Of course it won't last. The predictability law suggests that one of these two will soon run the other out in shambolic fashion and then get out themselves a couple of balls later and we end up with 250 after the middle order wimp out whilst using up loads of deliveries doing it

[Durhamfootman]

nope... not a bit of it

Clark fell on 135, Bedders came in at 3 and he's raced to 74 off 44 balls whilst Lees has brought up another hundred

255-1 after 31 overs and a monster total looks on

[Durhamfootman]

329-3 off 36 overs

Lees out for 144 off 107

Bedders out for 102 off 54 balls..... Is he making a point about his omission from the dribble?

Pretorius has come in at 5 alongside McKinney

[captaincolly]

Must have been some incredible hitting at the top! If we'd had a full strength line-up it'd have been interesting to see how many we would have scored!

[Durhamfootman]

well the collapse is on... of course

we went from 329-1 to 348-7

now this is what I don't understand. we have a top order batter in Jones and the last match top scorer Bushnell coming in after Pretorius, Trev and Coughlin

there were 14 overs left when Lees and Bedders got out, there was no need to promote pinch hitters... that's the sort of thing you do when there's 5 overs left

371-7 after 44 with Jones and Bushers going along at a run a ball, so it isn't like they've been bogged down trying to play traditional shots. All we achieved was to deny specialist batters 5 overs to get their eye in before kicking on again

I just think we might have cut our own throat there

[Durhamfootman]

maybe we were absolutely certain that our bowlers have got this

[Durhamfootman]

trying to be too clever by half, if you ask me

[captaincolly]

trying to be too clever by half, if you ask me

Agree. Should have been looking at 450 minimum. Didn't matter in the end - unless we end up falling just short on run rate.
You do feel though that the top 3 will have to face most of the overs in these games- Bushnell has had a good start but that middle order looks vulnerable.

[Durhamfootman]

yes, a very convincing win in the end. Boys did well, but I agree completely about the middle order. More wickets for Trev, though, so that's good to see after his poor dribble campaign. He now has 7 wickets at 12's

McKinney disappoints again, which is a pity

[captaincolly]

yes, a very convincing win in the end. Boys did well, but I agree completely about the middle order. Wickets for Trev, though, so that's good to see after his poor dribble campaign

McKinney disappoints again, which is a pity

Yes, just signed his first pro contract too. Seems to be a feeling that Trev is off to pastures new at the end of the season, a shame if that happens because he is a more than useful cricketer.