Durham Match Thread 2021

[Durhamfootman]

match drawn

you know what I'm going to say.... I've been saying it for years

[captaincolly]

Been out most of the day - that's a surprise. Thought it was in the bag after those wickets after lunch! Pity about the lost day but it's really no excuse given we only needed 3 wickets in the last session.

[westoelad]

match drawn

you know what I'm going to say.... I've been saying it for years

Unfortunately I don't think the decision makers read this forum but most of their signings have recognised and addressed weaknesses. Certainly the batting in these last 2 games have indicated the batting has enough depth not to need a 2nd overseas batsmen.
A glance at the current 2nd XI shows how little cover there is for the 1st XI. I'm confident that they'll continue to recognise and address deficiencies. As usual we wont hear anything until it's a fait accompli.

[Durhamfootman]

Don't get me wrong..... I'm very optimistic for the future. I think we have the makings of a competitive first division side when (if) we go back to that.

It occurs to me that it will be very hard for the ECB in 2023 to rewind to the end of 2019 and install the 2 divisions despite the guarantees they seemingly gave to Gloucs and Northants. Imagine if Notts won the CC next year and were then relegated? There'd be hell on, so I'm confident they would only do that for Durham. If we continue to progress the way we have done and make astute overseas signings, then I see no reason why we couldn't test out that theory.

[captaincolly]

Don't get me wrong..... I'm very optimistic for the future. I think we have the makings of a competitive first division side when (if) we go back to that.

It occurs to me that it will be very hard for the ECB in 2023 to rewind to the end of 2019 and install the 2 divisions despite the guarantees they seemingly gave to Gloucs and Northants. Imagine if Notts won the CC next year and were then relegated? There'd be hell on, so I'm confident they would only do that for Durham. If we continue to progress the way we have done and make astute overseas signings, then I see no reason why we couldn't test out that theory.

I agree! Since the relegation we have looked like - at best- a pretty ordinary division 2 side apart from the second half of 2019 , but even then had we gone up ( and had Covid not intervened) I think we'd have been cannon fodder. On the evidence of this season though I think we are one of the 9 best sides.

[Durhamfootman]

of course the very annoying draw today doesn't just deny us the extra 8 points, but it also denies us points from the game Surrey pulled out of, which I think will be based on average points per game

not that it matters, of course, since the ECB decided it would be a good idea to have 24 dead rubbers once we got to the business end of the season

[captaincolly]

of course the very annoying draw today doesn't just deny us the extra 8 points, but it also denies us points from the game Surrey pulled out of, which I think will be based on average points per game

not that it matters, of course, since the ECB decided it would be a good idea to have 24 dead rubbers once we got to the business end of the season

Yes, an unsatisfactory format to say the least. But as you said earlier, it's going to be tricky to revert back to two divisions in 2023 because of all the complications.

[captaincolly]

Having said that, The Times is reporting that the conference system is going to be ditched for next year and the 2 division format will return!

[westoelad]

Hell on if this is decided on 2019 placings. If decided on this season placing makes next week v Gloucs pretty crucial.
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/coun ... -825wtmz8c

[captaincolly]

Hell on if this is decided on 2019 placings. If decided on this season placing makes next week v Gloucs pretty crucial.
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/coun ... -825wtmz8c

Yeah, it'd surely have to go on this season , need to finish in the top 2 if it does. Although maybe the ECB will do a Dallas and regard the last 2 seasons as a dream / nightmare!

[westoelad]

Hell on if this is decided on 2019 placings. If decided on this season placing makes next week v Gloucs pretty crucial.
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/coun ... -825wtmz8c

Yeah, it'd surely have to go on this season , need to finish in the top 2 if it does. Although maybe the ECB will do a Dallas and regard the last 2 seasons as a dream / nightmare!

No top 4 as div 1 would have 10 teams.

[captaincolly]

Hell on if this is decided on 2019 placings. If decided on this season placing makes next week v Gloucs pretty crucial.
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/coun ... -825wtmz8c

Yeah, it'd surely have to go on this season , need to finish in the top 2 if it does. Although maybe the ECB will do a Dallas and regard the last 2 seasons as a dream / nightmare!

No top 4 as div 1 would have 10 teams.

Ah yes, I'd forgotten about that.

[Durhamfootman]

I couldn't read the times article, but assuming i get its drift, then the cynic in me thinks that this would be a good time for the ECB to revert back because it would help them keep their commitment to Northants and Gloucs, and save themselves the embarrassment of relegating Notts who could possibly end up being either the county champions, the BWT winners or a side that missed out on being either or both by a couple of points.

We'd be safe if they went top 4 in our div because we have the Surrey points still to add on and I struggle to see any scenario where we wouldn't finish in the top 4.... unless the ECB do what the ECB like to do, of course

If Durham and Notts were to enter div 1 next year, which two teams would miss out? I'm guessing Surrey and perhaps Kent? I can't remember the placings at the end of the 2019 season if I'm honest

[westoelad]

I couldn't read the times article, but assuming i get its drift, then the cynic in me thinks that this would be a good time for the ECB to revert back because it would help them keep their commitment to Northants and Gloucs, and save themselves the embarrassment of relegating Notts who could possibly end up being either the county champions, the BWT winners or a side that missed out on being either or both by a couple of points.

We'd be safe if they went top 4 in our div because we have the Surrey points still to add on and I struggle to see any scenario where we wouldn't finish in the top 4.... unless the ECB do what the ECB like to do, of course

If Durham and Notts were to enter div 1 next year, which two teams would miss out? I'm guessing Surrey and perhaps Kent? I can't remember the placings at the end of the 2019 season if I'm honest

Here's the article.

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/coun ... -825wtmz8c
At the end of 2019 season the intention was for 3 clubs to be promoted Lancs, Gloucs and N'hants and Notts to be relegated giving a 1st division o 10 teams and a 2nd of 8. Form a 1st division in 2022 of current Div1 and top 4 of Div2 ensures the 4 counties above would ,rightly,be in that top division. "Big" counties, Middx and Sorry would be in Div2 which, if they're honest,is where they deserve to be at present.

[captaincolly]

I couldn't read the times article, but assuming i get its drift, then the cynic in me thinks that this would be a good time for the ECB to revert back because it would help them keep their commitment to Northants and Gloucs, and save themselves the embarrassment of relegating Notts who could possibly end up being either the county champions, the BWT winners or a side that missed out on being either or both by a couple of points.

We'd be safe if they went top 4 in our div because we have the Surrey points still to add on and I struggle to see any scenario where we wouldn't finish in the top 4.... unless the ECB do what the ECB like to do, of course

If Durham and Notts were to enter div 1 next year, which two teams would miss out? I'm guessing Surrey and perhaps Kent? I can't remember the placings at the end of the 2019 season if I'm honest

I could be wrong but I'm not sure there will be any points for either Surrey or Durham because the points are now average per game played so it could just be that the cancelled game is just taken out of the equation and it is average points in the games played. I'm far from sure though because when the game was called off the ECB said points to be decided in due course!