Down by the Riverside 2023

[Durhamfootman]

unlike in the IPL, he'll actually play for us

[westoelad]

Ashton Turner returning for another Blast season. A glutton for punishment!

Him or Us?. Wholly underwhelming signing imo.

[Durhamfootman]

we need all the help we can get

[captaincolly]

Happy birthday DFM!

[Durhamfootman]

thanks Capt

when you get to my age you try not to notice birthdays

[captaincolly]

Boland ruled out for the season. Not entirely unexpected but still a blow. Presumably the search for a replacement is already underway.

[captaincolly]

Already sorted- Peter Siddle! He's nearly 40.

[Durhamfootman]

Boland out, banana man in

[Durhamfootman]

is he available for the game on Friday?

he used to play for Essex

[captaincolly]

is he available for the game on Friday?

he used to play for Essex

According to the BBC he is. He must still be bowling well to be playing in his late 30's. Should be a good signing.

[Durhamfootman]

he's familiar with English conditions. It seems he's played for Notts and Lancs as well as Essex and Somerset.

he's always struck me as a very competitive player. I always got the feeling he would give everything, but also expect everyone else to do the same

[Durhamfootman]

It's a shame we never got to see Boland. I would have liked to see what he'd got

[captaincolly]

he's familiar with English conditions. It seems he's played for Notts and Lancs as well as Essex and Somerset.

he's always struck me as a very competitive player. I always got the feeling he would give everything, but also expect everyone else to do the same

Agreed. He seems to have the ideal competitive temperament.

It's a shame we never got to see Boland. I would have liked to see what he'd got

Me too. Maybe next year?

[captaincolly]

Ryan Campbell was on the TMS Podcast.
Says he expects Stokes to return for the Lancs game in Blackpool but didn't totally rule out him playing against Hampshire.

He said Boland is out for 12-13 weeks. If I understood correctly we're going to sign a white ball replacement for hin.

Thought we have started OK and mid-table is about right. Draws due to poor weather and flat wickets. Bowling and batting has been decent but room for improvement. He was a bit critical of Robinson getting out for 90 playing a bad shot - said players who get in against these attacks need to get a big score.

[Durhamfootman]

Stokes should play for us. He will take no part in the T20 WC, so he's had 3 months off to recuperate and his next international outing is more than 2 months away.

Personally I'd have thought he should be targeting Hants and Somerset, because they are being played on proper grounds. The Lancs game is at Stanley Pk, so he could miss that and have a week off in between. Then we have 2 matches in June, the first of which ends a fortnight before the first test, so would be perfect preparation for him, I'd have thought.