Marty's match notes on this game tend to match my own feelings around the completely pointless nature of playing this match one week after the longest day of the year. The fact is, if it isn't cloudy, the floodlights won't even be needed.
From Marty:
Durham are back in action tomorrow (Monday) in a floodlit four-day game against leaders Warwickshire in Chester-le-Street.
Last year's ECB experiment with the pink ball was a wash out because the weather was appalling. However this week it looks good.
Given the fact they had the longest day three days ago, the idea of playing a floodlit game this week is as daft as last season's scheduling for June 26th.
But who are we to question the people who keep doing these thing with the county championship in what seems like an endless experiment?
So play begins each day at 2pm and is supposed to run until about 9pm, although the chances of such prompt finishes these days are virtually nil.
The idea is people will be able to come to the ground after work and still see two sessions of play. From my part actually seeing the pink ball becomes a nightmare when it gets scuffed up. They may as well just use a normal red one.
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However, c'est la vie, hopefully the club will profit from a bigger crowd due to the playing hours - I hope they offer supporters a deal to entice more through the gates, but I've read nothing as yet to confirm this.
I've mentioned elsewhere just how excellent Bell's form is currently, it'll be a very tough task against Warwickshire, but one thing that's become apparent due to the fact everyone is beating everyone, is that regardless of the result of this one - we should go into the final portion of the season (six Championship games) with our hopes of promotion still alive.
We're 13/8, they're 1/2.
Paul Collingwood (c), Cameron Steel, Tom Latham, Will Smith, Graham Clark, Gareth Harte, Ryan Davies (wk), Ryan Pringle, Nathan Rimmington, Barry McCarthy, Chris Rushworth, Matt Salisbury, Gavin Main.
Poynter misses out due to Ireland commitments, whilst Coughlin makes way for the return of McCarthy.
From Marty:
Durham are back in action tomorrow (Monday) in a floodlit four-day game against leaders Warwickshire in Chester-le-Street.
Last year's ECB experiment with the pink ball was a wash out because the weather was appalling. However this week it looks good.
Given the fact they had the longest day three days ago, the idea of playing a floodlit game this week is as daft as last season's scheduling for June 26th.
But who are we to question the people who keep doing these thing with the county championship in what seems like an endless experiment?
So play begins each day at 2pm and is supposed to run until about 9pm, although the chances of such prompt finishes these days are virtually nil.
The idea is people will be able to come to the ground after work and still see two sessions of play. From my part actually seeing the pink ball becomes a nightmare when it gets scuffed up. They may as well just use a normal red one.
----------------------
However, c'est la vie, hopefully the club will profit from a bigger crowd due to the playing hours - I hope they offer supporters a deal to entice more through the gates, but I've read nothing as yet to confirm this.
I've mentioned elsewhere just how excellent Bell's form is currently, it'll be a very tough task against Warwickshire, but one thing that's become apparent due to the fact everyone is beating everyone, is that regardless of the result of this one - we should go into the final portion of the season (six Championship games) with our hopes of promotion still alive.
We're 13/8, they're 1/2.
Paul Collingwood (c), Cameron Steel, Tom Latham, Will Smith, Graham Clark, Gareth Harte, Ryan Davies (wk), Ryan Pringle, Nathan Rimmington, Barry McCarthy, Chris Rushworth, Matt Salisbury, Gavin Main.
Poynter misses out due to Ireland commitments, whilst Coughlin makes way for the return of McCarthy.
