The Red Telephone
Striker
Still carrying on with my 'Continue until they lose a Championship match' contract it's all systems go folks.
Well after seven years in the wilderness we return to the promised land of Division One and just look who are first opponents are at the Riverside- none other than our friends from Hampshire.
Last season's red ball campaign was beyond the wildest dreams of even the most optimistic of posters as we waltzed to the title under Cambo playing positive cricket throughout and I can't see any reason why he will change this outlook even with the decision to revert back to eight points for a draw.
Obviously no team news yet but the coach is in a happy position of being spoilt for choice with his options as to who will make the starting XI on Friday the 5th. Of the three signings Ackermann already looks like an excellent acquisition and if Callum Parkinson makes as much of an impact as his twin did last season then there should be no complaints. As for Boland well I can't imagine many of our opponents looking forward to facing a potential pace attack of him, Potts, Carse and Raine.
Our opponents finished third in the Championship behind Surrey and Essex in 2023 and their two overseas players are veteran Saffer Kyle Abbott and also Mohammad Abbas who I'm sure we all remember from his Leicestershire days when he took two 5fers in the same day as they dismissed us for 61 and 66 in the same day. Oh and speaking of nemesis they still have a certain Keith Barker in their line up at well.
They are captained by James Vince and have added Sussex opener Ali Orr to their ranks for 2024 while forgotten man Mason Crane is off for a season's loan at Glamorgan.
God knows what the weather will be like but let's hope its better than the crap we've endured for the last six months and with it being a Friday start let's hope it can tempt those who work during the week to be able to get to the ground and witness that rarest of things - red ball cricket played on a weekend.
Finally Haway Durham let's sent Bransgrove's Boys back down south with their tails between their legs!
Well after seven years in the wilderness we return to the promised land of Division One and just look who are first opponents are at the Riverside- none other than our friends from Hampshire.
Last season's red ball campaign was beyond the wildest dreams of even the most optimistic of posters as we waltzed to the title under Cambo playing positive cricket throughout and I can't see any reason why he will change this outlook even with the decision to revert back to eight points for a draw.
Obviously no team news yet but the coach is in a happy position of being spoilt for choice with his options as to who will make the starting XI on Friday the 5th. Of the three signings Ackermann already looks like an excellent acquisition and if Callum Parkinson makes as much of an impact as his twin did last season then there should be no complaints. As for Boland well I can't imagine many of our opponents looking forward to facing a potential pace attack of him, Potts, Carse and Raine.
Our opponents finished third in the Championship behind Surrey and Essex in 2023 and their two overseas players are veteran Saffer Kyle Abbott and also Mohammad Abbas who I'm sure we all remember from his Leicestershire days when he took two 5fers in the same day as they dismissed us for 61 and 66 in the same day. Oh and speaking of nemesis they still have a certain Keith Barker in their line up at well.
They are captained by James Vince and have added Sussex opener Ali Orr to their ranks for 2024 while forgotten man Mason Crane is off for a season's loan at Glamorgan.
God knows what the weather will be like but let's hope its better than the crap we've endured for the last six months and with it being a Friday start let's hope it can tempt those who work during the week to be able to get to the ground and witness that rarest of things - red ball cricket played on a weekend.
Finally Haway Durham let's sent Bransgrove's Boys back down south with their tails between their legs!
