Durham Match Thread 2026

[Durhamfootman]

we are, after all, well behind the over rate with 10 mins to go. If we could squeeze 5 overs out of Parky and Aldridge, that would help massively


nope.... Pottsy

[Durhamfootman]

the trouble with Leesy, is that he never does the things that I would do. That's okay, after all, I know nowt, but I might not have captained us to relegation in my first year

A fourth wicket would help justify the decision to field. 3 wickets feels like a good morning after being asked to bowl, but not enough to justify choosing to bowl

[Durhamfootman]

Perhaps the first time at the Riverside that Jonesy hasn't fallen in the over before lunch

[Durhamfootman]

middle of the afternoon, blazing sunshine, 17 degrees, perfect batting conditions. Lancs are closing in on 200-4 having been put in. We are the only side fielding a front line spinner and we ceded the opportunity for him to bowl in the 4th innings.

I was amazed when we chose to bowl and this is why. I don't think we've given ourselves the best chance to win the game and nor is it the first time. Still plenty of time to turn things around, of course, but it feels like we are going to have to do it the hard way

I wonder if we've asked for the ball to be changed yet? Please, Umps.... this one doesn't work

[Durhamfootman]

a bit of a recovery. BR joins the party and Lancs do the wicket on the stroke of tea thing 233-6

Coughlin and Bailey can both bat, so I haven't ruled out the 100 run lower order stand alongside Harris, currently on 78

still...... progress

[Durhamfootman]

well there you go

if we wanted more proof than just our surprise at the toss that bowling first was a poor decision, Lancs still being there at the end of the first day is one and a 60 run 8th wicket partnership after the new ball was taken is another. The 60 run partnership prior to that was more forgiveable against the old ball

Sounds as though the ton from Harris was chanceless. Saw off the first ball and capitalised later. Batting in the sunshine, nice warm day, but not hot.... why would anyone gift their wicket away in those conditions? Poor call from Lees, which is becoming a consistent feature of his captaincy. He won't have made it in isolation though, so poor stuff all round

At least we had the sense to play Parky to help prevent the seamers being flogged into the ground and make sure we don't incur any over rate deductions. Durham points might be few and far between in this game. He's done okay has Parky, but when you choose to bowl first, 20 overs from the spinner on day one is another thing to add to that earlier list

[captaincolly]

well there you go

if we wanted more proof than just our surprise at the toss that bowling first was a poor decision, Lancs still being there at the end of the first day is one and a 60 run 8th wicket partnership after the new ball was taken is another. The 60 run partnership prior to that was more forgiveable against the old ball

Sounds as though the ton from Harris was chanceless. Saw off the first ball and capitalised later. Batting in the sunshine, nice warm day, but not hot.... why would anyone gift their wicket away in those conditions? Poor call from Lees, which is becoming a consistent feature of his captaincy. He won't have made it in isolation though, so poor stuff all round

At least we had the sense to play Parky to help prevent the seamers being flogged into the ground and make sure we don't incur any over rate deductions. Durham points might be few and far between in this game. He's done okay has Parky, but when you choose to bowl first, 20 overs from the spinner on day one is another thing to add to that earlier list

Totally agree. That decision- as we thought this morning- seemed like a strange call and it has once again backfired. That partnership after the new ball must mean conditions are good for batting and surely that's to be expected. It's going to take a big effort now to get back into this- day one has set things up ideally for Jimmy!

[Durhamfootman]

well, we either copy Lancs and just bat responsibly, playing for the draw, or we go all gung ho for a bit, until we get sick of handing wickets to Anderson and then try to cobble enough runs to avoid the follow on, before collapsing in a heap on day 4 to a part time spinner, with one FC wicket to his name, who can't believe his luck and picks up a contract extension a week later

I'll leave it up to you to decide which feels the more likely

[captaincolly]

well, we either copy Lancs and just bat responsibly, playing for the draw, or we go all gung ho for a bit, until we get sick of handing wickets to Anderson and then try to cobble enough runs to avoid the follow on, before collapsing in a heap on day 4 to a part time spinner, with one FC wicket to his name, who can't believe his luck and picks up a contract extension a week later

I'll leave it up to you to decide which feels the more likely

I've got a good idea of the most likely scenario!

[captaincolly]

Surprisingly folded quite quickly this morning- maybe because it's overcast!

[Durhamfootman]

Trouble is, we folded too

As predicted. Bleeding obvious really

[Durhamfootman]

not sure how we managed to get to 295 from where we were. Once again the bowlers rescue the batters with 44 for the 8th wicket, 49 for the 9th and 78 for the 10th.

still.... it means we aren't out of it yet

need a great bowling performance tomorrow from our spinner on a day 4 pitch........ oh wait!

[captaincolly]

Having a hectic weekend, hopefully will get down tomorrow. That lower order recovery is what usually happens to us - been a strange game with plenty of momentum shifts though Lancashire have been on top throughout.
As you said at least we've kept ourselves in contention although I too worry about day 4 batting- that's Lees' doing with that toss decision.

[captaincolly]

Excellent so far, gloomy conditions and we're taking advantage.

[captaincolly]

Jones and Coughlin! Typical.