The home opener, which despite the fact we beat them in September and despite the fact they lost to Leicestershire at home last week - I’m not too hopeful that we’ll do the business this week.
We should have a much changed lineup, Bancroft and Wood (England permitting) should play, Steel if he has recovered from his concussion should be recalled too.
I’d like to think that those who played at Derby will bat with far more application and sheer bloody-mindedness in this one, traditionally pitches at Riverside dictate a need for improved concentration anyway. I would hope that an attack of Rushworth, Salisbury, Wood and Raine will put us in a position to win the game, but as ever I have absolutely zero faith in the batsmen doing their jobs anyway.
The long term forecast looks dry, but very cold .
In terms of a lineup, after abstaining from any prediction or suggestion last week my two penn'orth here is:
Bancroft
Lees
Steel
Harte
Burnham
Eckersley
Poynter (+)
Raine
Wood
Salisbury
Rushworth
6 and 7 could be any two of the three wicketkeepers really.
I’m having Steel back in if fit for Smith but if he isn’t Smith can have another go there in my opinion.
Harte occupies 4 based on how well he fought at Derby and because it seems like Burnham will be 5 for the time being.
I’d be tempted to stick Trevaskis or even Pringle in at 7 in place of one of the keepers so we’ve got a spin option. Both can hold a bat.
As always Ha’way Durham!
We should have a much changed lineup, Bancroft and Wood (England permitting) should play, Steel if he has recovered from his concussion should be recalled too.
I’d like to think that those who played at Derby will bat with far more application and sheer bloody-mindedness in this one, traditionally pitches at Riverside dictate a need for improved concentration anyway. I would hope that an attack of Rushworth, Salisbury, Wood and Raine will put us in a position to win the game, but as ever I have absolutely zero faith in the batsmen doing their jobs anyway.
The long term forecast looks dry, but very cold .
In terms of a lineup, after abstaining from any prediction or suggestion last week my two penn'orth here is:
Bancroft
Lees
Steel
Harte
Burnham
Eckersley
Poynter (+)
Raine
Wood
Salisbury
Rushworth
6 and 7 could be any two of the three wicketkeepers really.
I’m having Steel back in if fit for Smith but if he isn’t Smith can have another go there in my opinion.
Harte occupies 4 based on how well he fought at Derby and because it seems like Burnham will be 5 for the time being.
I’d be tempted to stick Trevaskis or even Pringle in at 7 in place of one of the keepers so we’ve got a spin option. Both can hold a bat.
As always Ha’way Durham!