Durham Match Thread 2026

[Durhamfootman]

The way the last round of fixtures has worked out means we still have to win at Worcs, but that was a good win today. The youngsters eventually got the job done with a flurry of wickets at the end.

[captaincolly]

Yes, they did very well. The score turned out to be better than I thought. Hopefully we won't end up regretting that implosion against Middlesex.

[Durhamfootman]

some of the returning centiball players are straight into the team today.

No MInto or Sir Lawrence. Stokes opened the bowling with Big Luke and we have 2 spinners in the side, Parky and Ghafari. McK opening the batting with Lees

we inserted Worcs and they are currently 92-4 after 17 overs.

Libby still there.......... naturally!

[captaincolly]

I thought the death bowling might be an issue and it was.
A lot of runs in the last 10 overs even without many wickets in hand. Wonder why Raine wasn't available?

[Durhamfootman]

who knows.... it's one of the oddities of a franchise system inserted into a county campaign

a poor final group game, but I think we make the QF's, such as they are. I'm going to guess, and it is only a guess, that Leics and Middlesex got straight to SF's, do not pass go, do not collect £200, and we get Lancs in the QF

[captaincolly]

Yes, Lancs. Think we were lucky today, poor at the end with the ball and then with the bat. On paper the batting lineup looks very strong but it hasn't really fired.
Big improvement required in all departments for Friday. Lancashire scoring close to 450 today doesn't instill confidence!

[Durhamfootman]

curse of the old boy

what could possibly go wrong?

[captaincolly]

curse of the old boy

what could possibly go wrong?

I'm sure it will be plain sailing!
The usual brilliant schedule- QF's on Friday, semis on Sunday...and the final late September.

[Durhamfootman]

curse of the old boy

what could possibly go wrong?

I'm sure it will be plain sailing!
The usual brilliant schedule- QF's on Friday, semis on Sunday...and the final late September.

of course. It's the ECB's token effort at pretending the comp they've deliberately devalued at great detriment to the England team in favour of the get rich quick fast buck money, remains the county season closing show piece event....... and a reminder to the global centiball audience that 63 years of tradition is not to be trifled with..... ever!

[captaincolly]

MI London out of The Hundred so Sowter will be available on Friday.

[Durhamfootman]

he only plays T20, doesn't he?

[captaincolly]

Ah yes! Forgot about that.
Probably would be useful in 50 overs but probably no point in having him signed up for it because he's certain to be playing in the dreaded Hundred every year.

[captaincolly]

I see Larry Olivier didn't make the squad. Even by our standards he has been a poor overseas signing.

[Durhamfootman]

he didn't get much of a chance though. I rather think we messed him about quite a lot and when we finally did select him it didn't help that he bowled a poor first 4 over spell after having waited an age to be eventually thrown the ball. I'm sure he's a better player than we've seen.... but yes.... a poor signing and an unnecessary one. Even without knowing that Stokes would retire as a test player, I'm not sure we really needed him at any point, let alone bringing him over early and not playing him

[captaincolly]

Yes, it was strange to bring him in then not play him.
Has a very good record but just hasn't had the chance to really get going.