Durham Match Thread 2024

[captaincolly]

Watching the highlights. That catch by Sowter off his own bowling was brilliant...and his fielding for the run out was even better.

[Durhamfootman]

I wasn't particularly looking forward to going down tonight and if it hadn't been something I'd arranged with my son in law I wouldn't have bothered, but it was a really good match and I'm so pleased I went. I might go to the next one now, when it's back on.

I'd been bigging Sowter up before he started bowling and then he bowled a wide followed by 4 wides and got launched a couple of times, but the catch off his own bowling, high over his shoulder and loads of ground to cover was brilliant and really got the crowd going. At the point he did that Yorks were cruising to victory and that catch alongside his spectacular run out shortly after turned the game on its head. Then he held onto the attempted glory shot from Good Dom Bess in the final over, so he had a great night in the end. Yorks would have won that easily without his interventions

It was really good to see the crowd streaming out after the match had finished rather than before

[Durhamfootman]

I saw that Bas was in the side and feared the worst, but when he came out to bat, instead of scratching around barely scoring for 6 or 7 balls and then holing out, he scratched around a little bit, but then thumped Bess for 4,6,2,4 before holing out. Given that this came after Robbo had just nicked off, and I was predicting we'd struggle to get more than 150, it helped drag us up from 128 after 17 overs to 170. Then again I was encouraged that Bas didn't have to bowl, until poor old George got a flogging off Luxton and we suddenly had an over to fill. Bas came on.... I got out my hard hat, but the first 5 balls were okay and although the last went for six, it was cheeky ramp shot and I don't think he did too much wrong. Maybe he's improving his all round T20 game

Again... another tight win under a load of pressure and this is encouraging because that's twice in the last two matches that we've held our nerve which is bound to instil some confidence into the players.

After an abysmal start in the first two matches, suddenly we've gone W,W,L,NR,W,W

The balance of the team looked right tonight. I'd forgotten that Corporal Jones was back as well and so we batted deeper. Now that Bas and Jonesy are back with us, suddenly Turner looks the natural contender to make way for Bedders.

Dwarshius bowled okay tonight. His first two went for a few in the PP when Lyth was on the charge, which is always on the cards anyway, but he did well in his two overs at the death and particularly well in that final over

[Durhamfootman]

Ackers will be back in the squad for Essex tomorrow. Dislocated finger was the problem recently, seemingly, but that's all okay now.

Bas and the Corporal will be in the squad too, but no Stokes who is 'being managed'. He is expected to play in the Worcester game a week later, though

[captaincolly]

Ackers will be back in the squad for Essex tomorrow. Dislocated finger was the problem recently, seemingly, but that's all okay now.

Bas and the Corporal will be in the squad too, but no Stokes who is 'being managed'. He is expected to play in the Worcester game a week later, though

If he's playing one of the two games I'd have thought it sensible to have played the first one given the test starts shortly after the Worcester match.

[Durhamfootman]

Chelmsford though..... it'd be hard for him to work on his batting there

[captaincolly]

Chelmsford though..... it'd be hard for him to work on his batting there

True! And with Harmer there I wouldn't want to be batting last...cue Borthwick winning the toss and bowling first.
The Telegraph reporting that Sam Cook is set to replace Jimmy in the second test...and that he has been ruled out of this match with a hamstring injury. A stroke of luck.

[Durhamfootman]

It'll be a bunsen then

[captaincolly]

It'll be a bunsen then

Yes.

[Durhamfootman]

Essex have signed Eathan Bosch as cover for Sam Cook. Hasn't played since the SA domestic T20 final back in April, so he might be rusty or he might be as fresh as a daisy... take your pick

win the toss and bat first..... please

it'll be interesting to see which 11 of the 13 get the nod

Siddle, of course.... I'd forgotten about Siddle

[Durhamfootman]

won the toss and chose to bat..... thank goodness

lots of changes. Clark out, Borthwick at 6 and Jones opening being the standout. Bas in at 7, for Coggers

[Durhamfootman]

I forgot that the CC was back today

[Durhamfootman]

Essex have signed Eathan Bosch as cover for Sam Cook. Hasn't played since the SA domestic T20 final back in April, so he might be rusty or he might be as fresh as a daisy... take your pick

fresh as a daisy, it turns out

Borthwick? Meh.... not so much.... out for 5

he reverted to 3, with Ackers replacing Clark at 6

[Durhamfootman]

Not bad as first sessions go. 144-2. 38 for the corporal and 5 for the skip

Lees has 50 and Bedders 49.

work to do this afternoon, because Essex will come back hard after lunch, I'm sure

[Durhamfootman]

Siddle will know this ground very well, of course. Hopefully he'll know the best way to bowl on it