Durham Match Thread 2024

[captaincolly]

Important knock from Borthwick. Eases a lot of pressure.

[captaincolly]

Some variable bounce and turn according to cricinfo so in that case 400 on the last day shouldn't be achievable. Although it's a dangerous batting lineup so we have plenty of work to do.

[Durhamfootman]

I think we've done okay today and picking up the scalp of Browne before the close rounds the day off nicely. Essex are a formidable force at home. They thumped Lancs by an innings and 124, Warks batted first and scored nearly 400 runs in the first innings, but were then blown away for only 94 in their second and lost by 4 wickets, so we've done well in the 3rd innings today. Just for info, Essex took 97 overs in the 4th innings to knock off 331 runs, so unless the pitch dies completely, I don't think they'll go after it tomorrow. We are going to have to winkle them out, I reckon. A couple of early wickets in the morning would definitely set us up for what could be a famous win against one of the championship favourites

[Durhamfootman]

It would be a statement win, if we can do it

[captaincolly]

I think we've done okay today and picking up the scalp of Browne before the close rounds the day off nicely. Essex are a formidable force at home. They thumped Lancs by an innings and 124, Warks batted first and scored nearly 400 runs in the first innings, but were then blown away for only 94 in their second and lost by 4 wickets, so we've done well in the 3rd innings today. Just for info, Essex took 97 overs in the 4th innings to knock off 331 runs, so unless the pitch dies completely, I don't think they'll go after it tomorrow. We are going to have to winkle them out, I reckon. A couple of early wickets in the morning would definitely set us up for what could be a famous win against one of the championship favourites

Definitely in the box seat and a couple of early wickets will hopefully totally take an Essex win out of the equation. Potts seems to have rediscovered his red ball motor, Siddle and Raine should be a handful and Parkinson could have a key role.

[Durhamfootman]

I've been watching the highlights. I agree about Potts. Borthwick looked pretty comfortable really and Bedders got out to the biggest pie that Harmer's probably ever bowled. It was a shocking delivery and should have been thumped to the boundary of left alone for the wide. Instead he looped it to the fielder. Hey ho

good to see Parky bowling with 7 fielders around the bat at the end

[Durhamfootman]

so much for any thoughts of the pitch deteriorating badly. Essex seem to be very comfortable

even Borthwick has turned his arm over.

I imagine we are trying every over to get the ball changed, but the new ball is 35 overs away and Essex are just digging in, so not much chance of the ball getting bashed out of shape from being thumped into buildings

This match has draw written all over it, unless someone can find a bit of magic from somewhere

[Durhamfootman]

I really hope we've got loads of fielders around the bat

[captaincolly]

so much for any thoughts of the pitch deteriorating badly. Essex seem to be very comfortable

even Borthwick has turned his arm over.

I imagine we are trying every over to get the ball changed, but the new ball is 35 overs away and Essex are just digging in, so not much chance of the ball getting bashed out of shape from being thumped into buildings

This match has draw written all over it, unless someone can find a bit of magic from somewhere

Yes, I might regret saying this but Essex have shown no real intent so far.

[Durhamfootman]

oh dear

this is like a couple of years ago when we just couldn't take wickets on day 4. Only the nightwatchman in 50 overs. Raine and Siddle have barely bowled. Presume we are saving them for the new ball.

Essex content to play for the draw and doing it well. Still 278 behind

[Durhamfootman]

blimey

still only the wicket of Porter to show for all the effort. Stokes clearly knew what he was about when he decided to skip this match

[captaincolly]

blimey

still only the wicket of Porter to show for all the effort. Stokes clearly knew what he was about when he decided to skip this match

Can't understand why Essex have made no attempt at any stage to go for the target. It's as if they have been batting for a draw from the outset...although one wicket all day is poor, this attack seems toothless unless conditions offer some help.
That said I'd have been happy with a max bonus points draw at the start of the game.

[Durhamfootman]

I told you yesterday that Essex wouldn't go for it. They didn't against Warks either

1 wicket all day!

pffff

hard yakka

[captaincolly]

I told you yesterday that Essex wouldn't go for it. They didn't against Warks either

1 wicket all day!

pffff

hard yakka

I seem to remember they were very conservative up here. We- again- struggled to take wickets but they still batted very sefately.

[captaincolly]

Dean Elgar saying they didn't go for it because " I think we needed in excess of 7 an over to start with."
Sounds as if it got a bit tetchy with fielders slow hand clapping and arguing with the spectators!
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.bbc.co ... 46j6po.amp