The new season is nearly upon us, Thursday sees the lads begin their 2023 campaign. There’s a couple of threads with talk of the general build up to the season, but we’re nearly at the beginning so I thought I’d spawn the match thread.
Some changes for this season, Division Two is an eight team division (10 in D1) with two promotion slots.
16 points for a win, 5 for a draw, first batting bonus point is 250, then they’re at 50 run increments up to 450. Wicket points remain the same. As does the bonus point eligibility period of the first 110 overs of each first innings.
The Analyst podcast special Durham episode was very interesting:
The TMS county preview not so, unfortunately, with the usual suspects talking the usual guff about the showpony counties:
There’s also a full Division Two preview on ‘The County Cricket Podcast’ which I’ve not yet got chance to listen to:
The loss of Rushworth cannot be understated, but there does seem to be a lot of optimism around the county (from within, not the doomlords on here), there also seems to be much optimism from around the county circuit about Ryan Campbell and a number of our young players.
Our batting certainly looks as strong as it’s ever looked, atleast in relative terms to the likely opposition we’ll face. There’s a lot of depth there too and whilst it isn’t realistic to suggest Borthwick won’t play to start the season, there certainly is a lot of ‘genuine’ competition for places with regards to the batting.
As for the bowling, as I alluded to before the loss of Rushworth will be huge. BUT, we should have a fit and available Potts and Carse to start the season, Raine will be his usual reliable self - it’s time I think that Coughlin stood up and made his presence felt and we have a couple of interesting spin options too, which is a refreshing change. I don’t know enough about the others, Glover for example or the young lads, but it was interesting to see Luke Robinson given a go at Headingley, he’ll be looking to push the other young lads for that first team call-up.
I’ll talk about selection and the opposition closer to the game, but here’s a starting point for the discussion anyway
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I’ve said elsewhere that I come into this season as poorly prepared and ill advised as I’ve ever been entering a county summer - I’ve had loads on this winter and if I’m honest, the whole thing turned me off last year too, but as ever, once the clocks spring forward the excitement begins to build.
I’m full of the normal pre-season optimism for Durham, but I’m majorly concerned about whether we’ll be able to take 20 wickets at any point this season.
With that in mind, here’s to promotion
Ha’way Durham!
Some changes for this season, Division Two is an eight team division (10 in D1) with two promotion slots.
16 points for a win, 5 for a draw, first batting bonus point is 250, then they’re at 50 run increments up to 450. Wicket points remain the same. As does the bonus point eligibility period of the first 110 overs of each first innings.
The Analyst podcast special Durham episode was very interesting:
You must be logged on to see external links
The TMS county preview not so, unfortunately, with the usual suspects talking the usual guff about the showpony counties:
You must be logged on to see external links
There’s also a full Division Two preview on ‘The County Cricket Podcast’ which I’ve not yet got chance to listen to:
You must be logged on to see external links
The loss of Rushworth cannot be understated, but there does seem to be a lot of optimism around the county (from within, not the doomlords on here), there also seems to be much optimism from around the county circuit about Ryan Campbell and a number of our young players.
Our batting certainly looks as strong as it’s ever looked, atleast in relative terms to the likely opposition we’ll face. There’s a lot of depth there too and whilst it isn’t realistic to suggest Borthwick won’t play to start the season, there certainly is a lot of ‘genuine’ competition for places with regards to the batting.
As for the bowling, as I alluded to before the loss of Rushworth will be huge. BUT, we should have a fit and available Potts and Carse to start the season, Raine will be his usual reliable self - it’s time I think that Coughlin stood up and made his presence felt and we have a couple of interesting spin options too, which is a refreshing change. I don’t know enough about the others, Glover for example or the young lads, but it was interesting to see Luke Robinson given a go at Headingley, he’ll be looking to push the other young lads for that first team call-up.
I’ll talk about selection and the opposition closer to the game, but here’s a starting point for the discussion anyway
I’ve said elsewhere that I come into this season as poorly prepared and ill advised as I’ve ever been entering a county summer - I’ve had loads on this winter and if I’m honest, the whole thing turned me off last year too, but as ever, once the clocks spring forward the excitement begins to build.
I’m full of the normal pre-season optimism for Durham, but I’m majorly concerned about whether we’ll be able to take 20 wickets at any point this season.
With that in mind, here’s to promotion
Ha’way Durham!