Durham Match Thread 2026

[andy]

I see Duane Olivier has been signed

[Durhamfootman]

he has, but will he play tomorrow? Having brought him in 2 games early, there probably wouldn't be much point making him wait a week and miss one of them

how rusty will he be? Kemar Roach couldn't stop overstepping, so if he doesn't do that it will at least save us 20 runs an innings

[captaincolly]

Potts rested for the Worcestershire game, Rhodes back in the squad. Luke Robinson and Minto both included but Olivier is not.

[Durhamfootman]

nobody is suggesting that IBR gets a rest..... thank goodness!

I read somewhere that Stokes may take the new ball at some point over the next 2 games. With no Potts or Olivier, that might well happen tomorrow

[captaincolly]

nobody is suggesting that IBR gets a rest..... thank goodness!

I read somewhere that Stokes may take the new ball at some point over the next 2 games. With no Potts or Olivier, that might well happen tomorrow

Yes, I think so too.

[Durhamfootman]

No Swanepoel for Worcs, ruled out after a concussion injury in the last match, and his loan replacement OHD has been recalled by Warks and is in their squad for today's game v Yorks

Between them, they are responsible for exactly half of Worcs wickets not taken by Tom Taylor. We need to keep him quiet and not gift stupid stuff to the others.

Under the new pitch marking system, Worcs get given a lot of leeway, not afforded to other counties, because of the inherent challenges of producing a playing surface at New Rd, so I'd imagine that this will be a result pitch..... just got to make sure that it's us that get the result

[Durhamfootman]

Libby, of course

must be due a double hundred and a contract extension offer, after a lean spell in the early part of the season that has yielded 177 in 7 innings. With his history against us, I have no doubt he'll be licking his lips this morning

[Durhamfootman]

I have no idea what the weather forecast is looking like down there

[captaincolly]

Libby, of course

must be due a double hundred and a contract extension offer, after a lean spell in the early part of the season that has yielded 177 in 7 innings. With his history against us, I have no doubt he'll be licking his lips this morning

Gone earky for once. 15/2 and you were right about Stokes opening the bowling.

[Durhamfootman]

yeah, not this innings

going well, so far

[Durhamfootman]

good start for big Luke, too

[Durhamfootman]

A bit of a recovery by Worcs. 93-4 at lunch

Stokes still working on his rhythm, but asking questions. Robinson looks pretty quick and bowled well, I thought. Kasey Jones, steaming and a rolling, bowled the odd beauty, but also bowled far too many loose balls, which were punished. I think most of the runs he conceded were boundaries. As usual, the best bowler on show was the IBR. Beat the bat so many times. It definitely feels as though we need him to break this stand straight after lunch

[Durhamfootman]

The cricketer were singing Luke Robinson's praises the other day. Seemingly in his U15 or U13 days, or something , he took 6 wickets in one over, all bowled.

I've only seen him bowl in the odd T20 game, but watching the live feed today, he looked pretty good. Looked a busy bowler, all arms and legs and hustle and bustle

On this pitch, both Stokes and the IBR were finding some sharp bounce, but big Luke got a slightly fuller ball to grub through to the keeper with about 3 bounces

It's certainly an interesting pitch, because IBR has been coming in quite wide to the right handers and getting the ball to straighten or move away. Stokes has been coming in closer to the stumps, but threw a length ball out wide which jagged right back into the right hander, nearly cutting him in half, and Robbo had to dive down the leg side to stop it. Balls have been rearing up a bit, plus that grubber. All to the right handers I think, so there's a fair bit in this pitch

[Durhamfootman]

Kasey Jones has put down Hose in IBF's first over. It was very low down, but he did have it in both hands and it was almost identical to the catch he took this morning

Hose is on 28

[Durhamfootman]

Off for rain

Gives us a chance to reset after the dropped catch. Hose currently on 59