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CC : Hampshire v Durham

Five weeks after our damp squib at the Riverside we find ourselves playing the return fixture at The Utilita Bowl against our chums from Hampshire.

After four games played we lie in 5th place on 50 points while Hampshire are in 9th on 31. Along with the washout, 'Bransgrove's Boys' have drawn against Warwickshire and Lancashire while most recently losing by an innings at the hands of The Oval Posh Boys.

In the early season run fest Hampshire's batsmen/batters (delete as applicable) have been relatively quiet with only Nick Gubbins (119) and Fletcha (that's how they spell it honest guv!) Middleton (116) making it to three figures - the latter player with his maiden century. Meanwhile their new signing from Sussex, opener Ali Orr has managed only 59 runs in five innings...and we think Badger has got problems! I'm also going to tempt fate again by pointing out that the much vaunted veteran attack of Abbott and Abbas have so far managed only 5 Championship wickets each and like us their top wicket taker is a spinner in the shape of Liam Dawson with eleven.

As for us- well Cambo has let it slip that Stokesy will more than likely be putting in an appearance at Blackpool and by that I don't just mean going for a walk along The Golden Mile sporting a 'Kiss Me Quick Hat' ! So I don't expect any changes again to the top six although we'll be seeing Peter Siddle making his Durham debut which will probably mean Coggs being rested although most Durham supporters would rather it were Carse.

The weather forecast for once looks excellent for the duration with predictions being dry and sunny with a top temperature of 21°C (70°F in the old money).

Last time we played down there was the last game of the infamous 2016 season when we triumphed by six wickets thanks to a century from Rocky, 99no from Michael Richardson and ten wickets from Ryan Pringle. Badger,Clarky and probably Carsey survive from that side and let's hope for a repeat performance.

Haway Durham !!!!
 

Top 6 almost certainly unchanged and unless any of the seamers have picked up an injury then Siddle comes in for one of them on "rotation" and Parkinson plays as specialist spinner.
Hampshire look like there off to a slow start for a fancied team and to be honest there batting looks a bit light to win a championship although seam attack looks good with a few options. Not sure if Barker has featured this season or if they are wrapping him in cotton wool for Durham.
 
In the early season run fest Hampshire's batsmen/batters (delete as applicable) have been relatively quiet with only Nick Gubbins (119) and Fletcha (that's how they spell it honest guv!) Middleton (116) making it to three figures - the latter player with his maiden century. Meanwhile their new signing from Sussex, opener Ali Orr has managed only 59 runs in five innings...and we think Badger has got problems! I'm also going to tempt fate again by pointing out that the much vaunted veteran attack of Abbott and Abbas have so far managed only 5 Championship wickets each and like us their top wicket taker is a spinner in the shape of Liam Dawson with eleven.

It worries me that their batting and bowling has been so subpar, it worries me more that you’ve highlighted it. This week could very easily be a ‘get right game’ for them. My concern would be that form is temporary and they’ve got a very good squad on paper and have challenged regularly for honours ever since their reprieve in 2016.

Nothing would please me more than to see them back where they belong in Division Two from next season, I really hope we can inflict considerable pain on them this weekend.

Now, all those niceties aside, I’m interested to see what our squad looks like and more pertinently which bowlers are trusted to attempt to get the job done.

Through four games, we’ve probably got more questions than answers - two games where we have to be honest, the rain helped us avoid what could easily have been a defeat AND our win against a team that came up with us and who we’ve had a bit of a hold over lately. It would be good in the next couple of weeks to see us pick up a win against a more ‘established’ Division One side.

It’s not all doomlordery of course, I still believe the future is bright, but it’s time to begin to walk the walk somewhat.
 
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It worries me that their batting and bowling has been so subpar, it worries me more that you’ve highlighted it. This week could very easily be a ‘get right game’ for them. My concern would be that form is temporary and they’ve got a very good squad on paper and have challenged regularly for honours ever since their reprieve in 2016.

Nothing would please me more than to see them back where they belong in Division Two from next season, I really hope we can inflict considerable pain on them this weekend.

Now, all those niceties aside, I’m interested to see what our squad looks like and more pertinently which bowlers are trusted to attempt to get the job done.

Through four games, we’ve probably got more questions than answers - two games where we have to be honest, the rain helped us avoid what could easily have been a defeat AND our win against a team that came up with us and who we’ve had a bit of a hold over lately. It would be good in the next couple of weeks to see us pick up a win against a more ‘established’ Division One side.

It’s not all doomlordery of course, I still believe the future is bright, but it’s time to begin to walk the walk somewhat.

I would take a different view Brandon. Of the 4 games, a wash out, comprehensive win, then two bore draws on flat batting wickets where the opposition could have been braver in forcing a result. Essex would have been batting last on a 4 day wicket so we were slight favourites IMO
 
I would take a different view Brandon. Of the 4 games, a wash out, comprehensive win, then two bore draws on flat batting wickets where the opposition could have been braver in forcing a result. Essex would have been batting last on a 4 day wicket so we were slight favourites IMO

I agree wholeheartedly about the opposition not being brave, but if there was no rain during the last game Essex would’ve been able to take their time getting to 500 and plenty, maybe even 600 the way they were going and likely we would’ve been batting on Day 4 in an attempt to save the game.
 
Both Carse and Coggers in our squad but with Siddle also there I expect one will be playing. No Stokes too, I thought he was supposed to play early May.

re Barker. Whenever I saw him walking I always winced, his hips don't look very healthy, at some point he's going to have to book a date with a surgeon.
 
Durham Xl for me
Lees
Borthwick
Ackerman
Bedingham
Robinson
Clark
Carse
Raine
Potts
Siddle
Parkinson
I wonder who this white ball Aussie is we've signed
Could it be Turner coming over early ti get some practice in especially with the 2nd Xl t20 matches starting up shortly.
If it is good to see.
I wonder who this white ball Aussie is we've signed
Apparently Ben Dhawris as replacement for Borland. Thats my theory up the spout
 
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