Durham Match Thread 2024

[Durhamfootman]

only got one day's play in at Headingley I think. we batted first, with the top order all failing and having to be rescued by Carse. We stumbled to 235-9 before letting Yorks bat for a session in which they reached 196-2.

Not sure leaving out the top order for the Uni game has worked out particularly well. Then again... perhaps we just got the shocker out of the way before the Hants game

[captaincolly]

I also thought it was strange not to play the first choice batting lineup in both games.
It may just me being pessimistic but have a feeling this season will be a real challenge. The Cricketer magazine predicts a 5th place finish and I'd be absolutely delighted with that. My first thought is can Borthwick and Ackermann succeed against division one attacks. If they struggle ,and the middle order is exposed to the new ball on a regular basis, things could unravel!

[captaincolly]

And second thought is there's not a lot of depth in the bowling department so if/when we can't field the first choice attack it could get tricky- the draws last year were when we had the youngsters bowling.
Third thought is there's no cover for Robinson other than Colonel jnr.

[Durhamfootman]

another poor one from the corporal

I'm expecting us to line up with

Lees
Borthwick
Bedingham
Ackermann
Robinson
Clark
Carse
Raine
Potts
Parkinson
Boland

only questions for me are whether we play Carse or Bas at 7, or do we decide that Ackermann will provide spin and play both at 7 and 8. Personally, I imagine we will play Parky. Drissell took 7-71 in the uni game and Ackers only got the ball when we could only bowl spin

[captaincolly]

another poor one from the corporal

I'm expecting us to line up with

Lees
Borthwick
Bedingham
Ackermann
Robinson
Clark
Carse
Raine
Potts
Parkinson
Boland

only questions for me are whether we play Carse or Bas at 7, or do we decide that Ackermann will provide spin and play both at 7 and 8. Personally, I imagine we will play Parky. Drissell took 7-71 in the uni game and Ackers only got the ball when we could only bowl spin

I agree. Think Campbell is keen to have a specialist spinner in exery game. Personally I'd be tempted to go with the other option you suggest but doubt we will.

[captaincolly]

The Guardian predicting we'll finish second. No chance imo.

[Durhamfootman]

agreed

I'd be delighted with top half

[captaincolly]

agreed

I'd be delighted with top half

Me too.

[Durhamfootman]

cricketer magazine predicting 5th

[Durhamfootman]

Boland has arrived, but too late to make the first game

13 man squad announced which includes Carse/Bas/Coggers. I still can't see the corporal making the starting XI, so both Carse and Bas might play at 7 and 8

Lees
Borthwick
Ackers
Bedders
Robbo
Clark
Carse
Bas
Raine
Potts
Parky

would be my choice

[Durhamfootman]

Barker out with a knee injury

[captaincolly]

Good not to have to face Barker. Wonder why Boland arrived so late? Aussie season finished several weeks ago.

[captaincolly]

Boland has arrived, but too late to make the first game

13 man squad announced which includes Carse/Bas/Coggers. I still can't see the corporal making the starting XI, so both Carse and Bas might play at 7 and 8

Lees
Borthwick
Ackers
Bedders
Robbo
Clark
Carse
Bas
Raine
Potts
Parky

would be my choice

I'd go with that lineup too.

[KingOttis]

Boland has arrived, but too late to make the first game

13 man squad announced which includes Carse/Bas/Coggers. I still can't see the corporal making the starting XI, so both Carse and Bas might play at 7 and 8

Lees
Borthwick
Ackers
Bedders
Robbo
Clark
Carse
Bas
Raine
Potts
Parky

would be my choice

I'd go with that lineup too.

Me too - looks a decent line up - is Borthwick definitely down to open then? If so, then fair play to him for stepping up to fill the gap, although still a bit of a gamble. Carse and de Leede give us some lower order batting, and it looks a good bowling unit, just hope we can get the kind of big runs in Div 1 that we got last year. Exciting to be on the brink of a new season, and back in the top flight - if we get any play during the monsoon season....Come on lads!

[Durhamfootman]

Me too - looks a decent line up - is Borthwick definitely down to open then?

I don't know, but he was practicing that position in Zimbabwe in the absence of Lees and despite the extra incentive that brings and being afforded every possible opportunity to stake his own claim, Jonesy hasn't managed any score of note throughout the whole of pre-season, so I wouldn't be surprised. It also makes it simple to slot Ackermann into a top 6 that performed admirably last year (including Jones)

Plus we have been fielding Ackermann at first slip in place of Jones (who dropped a fair few last year) so it all kind of makes sense to me.... and, if Stokes is made available (and it looks reasonably likely) as both batter and bowler, then he can easily slip into that top 6 by moving Clark down one to 7 and dropping either Carse (who won't be allowed to play every game anyway) or Bas

All things considered it just looks to me like the right move

Jones would still be a key white ball player because Borthwick probably won't play those and may yet get opportunities in the CC should Lees get an England call up