Well it's an away draw which on paper 12 points I think we got isn't too bad and we've gained on some and with Hampshire dragged into it, I'm "satisfied" with the outcome this week. However the performance simply wasn't good enough once again.
As I said after the 1st innings, it's always the case 1 or 2 contribute at the top, then we expect Clark to bail us out or carry us a bit further in hope a tailender can stick about. Clark has done this job very well to be fair, so again no blame attached to him. The top order though need to be better, Lees aside it's very inconsistent and it's simply not good enough. Gay is yet to convince me that he's good enough. Bedingham has had a shocking season, Ackermann since about the 3rd round of games has been very poor, Mckinney very inconsistent and Robinson hasn't been right for a good year plus now again inconsistent. Only Lees and Clark and provided consistency.
Bowling wise, I said at the start of the season we are short and recruitment has been poor, that has proven to be the case. Why on earth was Killeen playing 2nd team cricket this week I'd be curious to know, he's still our player, so bloody play him. Potts I think is averaging something like 35 this season which is concerning, he missed a lot of chances earlier this season to play and England need blaming for that. However I've said this loads on here, the bowling setup at Durham is clearly poor and that blame lies with the coaching/conditioning people, so many injuries is just not bad luck, they're doing something wrong and obviously stats speak for themselves (Raine excluded), the coaching/intention from the coaches simply isn't working... stats prove that and when we have a decent young lad showing promise, we piss him about to the point he's decided to leave... genius. More scrutiny needs to be aimed at Onions, he's getting a very easy ride.
Again sounding like a broken record... sorry.... but the body language has been shite for a good while. There is no banter/chat/encouragement in the field when things aren't going well, we need a voice and a leader. Lees is a superb cricketer but he's not a captain and some of the decision making this season has left be completely baffled. I said at the time and I'll say it again, Ben Raine should be captain and he remains my choice.
Marcus North needs to leave, something I have consistently said for years, along with Bostock, both in it for themselves and their franchise dream. Recruitment has been crap, let's be honest here and that blame for me lies with North who is director of cricket. The Killeen situation still annoys me whilst we are offering Aldridge and Bailey 3 year pro deals, sorry but that stinks.
Bostock, less said the better, he has no time for members, I'll leave it at that, he just annoys me.
Two massive games coming up, with Sussex playing Yorkshire and Hampshire having Somerset away and Surrey at home, the pressure is on several times.
Just hope we survive but some players really need to step up and show some fight and desire because I've not seen that enough in the last few months and it's a major concern.
Well done to Potts and Raine for that effort this afternoon. Rain has saved us today which I'm so happy about but many questions need to be asked and team selection next week will be interesting.
I'd bring Killeen in for Connors and I'd bring Rhodes in for Ackermann. Also this new fella we signed surely has to play, otherwise why sign him, so for that reason alone he should be in for Parkinson.
