Durham match thread 2023

[westoelad]

James Hilditch is not a name I've heard before

He's the batting coach. Mate of Campbell. Netherlands batting coach

[Durhamfootman]

he doesn't appear on the staff list on the website.... but that means nothing, I suppose

[captaincolly]

James Hilditch is not a name I've heard before

He's the batting coach. Mate of Campbell. Netherlands batting coach

I'd heard the nane but must admit I didn't know he was with the club! You're right though, he must deserve credit for the remarkable batting transformation.

[westoelad]

he doesn't appear on the staff list on the website.... but that means nothing, I suppose

Yes, I looked there and was surprised at the omission. He was mentioned early season because I remember searching the name-grandson of Bobby Simpson.

[Durhamfootman]

I enjoyed my afternoon. I turned up with the boys in a bit of strife at 170-4, but a 200 and plenty 5th wicket partnership put us in control of the game. Max batting points look assured and not for the first time. Clarky rattled along to 80 off 100 balls, then brought up his hundred in 150 balls. The innings went to sleep a little as Clark and Bedders closed in on their centuries, but still 170 runs scored in the afternoon session.

I did think that Borthwick was on his way to another ton, so that was a bit disappointing. No runs for Lees (shock, horror).... well, 6 runs for Lees.

It'll be interesting to see if Leics fold when it's their turn. Their season is over and they made the cardinal mistakes of asking us to bat first and then not playing a spinner, apart from 6 overs of part time Kimber which went for 42 runs.

[captaincolly]

I enjoyed my afternoon. I turned up with the boys in a bit of strife at 170-4, but a 200 and plenty 5th wicket partnership put us in control of the game. Max batting points look assured and not for the first time. Clarky rattled along to 80 off 100 balls, then brought up his hundred in 150 balls. The innings went to sleep a little as Clark and Bedders closed in on their centuries, but still 170 runs scored in the afternoon session.

I did think that Borthwick was on his way to another ton, so that was a bit disappointing. No runs for Lees (shock, horror).... well, 6 runs for Lees.

It'll be interesting to see if Leics fold when it's their turn. Their season is over and they made the cardinal mistakes of asking us to bat first and then not playing a spinner, apart from 6 overs of part time Kimber which went for 42 runs.

And the good work has continued this morning- Fernando poor with the new ball but Raine running riot at the other end.
Not sure how much play we'll get this afternoon - a better forecast and we could even have been looking at a 2 day win.
Some suggestion that Potts might be subbed in tomorrow but I can't find any confirmation online.

[captaincolly]

96/6 - Fernando in the wickets column but maybe fortuitously - 2 in an over, first one was a loose shot and then Lewis Hill furious to be fired out lbw!
Off for rain and if the forecast is right there'll be no more play- although the rain keeps threatening to ease.
I think the forecast is good tomorrow so you'd think the game will finish inside 3 days with or without anymore play today or with or without Potts tomorrow!

[captaincolly]

Although if we don't get back on today 14 wickets inside a day is still a tough task - then again they do not look like lasting long

[Durhamfootman]

I saw the two wickets on the live feed. Hill was so angry he even kicked the boundary rope on his way off. Had they not got the points deductions for code violations last year, he might have turned around and beaten the boundary rope into a pulp with his bat.

the ball hit his bat, from his reaction that seems pretty clear, but the umpire seemed to believe that it hit pad and then bat. Impossible to tell on the replays, because the contact point was obscured by the umpire's hat. I'm happy to trust the umpire on this one... he was the only person who could see what happened

[Durhamfootman]

Ben Raine is on 58 wickets for the season. Harmer has 61 and Brett Hutton took 5fer to move him onto 60

Ben could pick up a load of wickets tomorrow. Maybe the thought of being so close to the most wickets title is inspiring him..... I hope so

[captaincolly]

I saw the two wickets on the live feed. Hill was so angry he even kicked the boundary rope on his way off. Had they not got the points deductions for code violations last year, he might have turned around and beaten the boundary rope into a pulp with his bat.

the ball hit his bat, from his reaction that seems pretty clear, but the umpire seemed to believe that it hit pad and then bat. Impossible to tell on the replays, because the contact point was obscured by the umpire's hat. I'm happy to trust the umpire on this one... he was the only person who could see what happened

Imagine how annoyed he'd have been if it was a crucial game!

[captaincolly]

Ben Raine is on 58 wickets for the season. Harmer has 61 and Brett Hutton took 5fer to move him onto 60

Ben could pick up a load of wickets tomorrow. Maybe the thought of being so close to the most wickets title is inspiring him..... I hope so

Hopefully.

[Durhamfootman]

you might prove to be quite right about Leicester maybe not putting up much of a fight with the bat

[captaincolly]

Damp outfield - inspection at 11 but the light might be an issue. When play does resume Potts is replacing Coughlin. I'm sure the forecast was sunshine all day!

[captaincolly]

Lunch brought forward to 12