Durham 2021

With the proper cricket season over for the year and only a few T20 games left of which we’ve got nothing to play for except pride and averages, attention (for me atleast) turns to next year.

As I mentioned on the Borthwick thread I had planned to do this thread to discuss where we go (or where we NEED to go from here) and one of the names on my shopping list would’ve absolutely been Borthwick.

This is a massive signing for us for many reasons, I’ve never been more gutted to lose any player than when SB left, I could’ve handled the Stoneman loss if Scott had stayed but them both leaving was a real sea change. It was the realisation that FTECB’s punishment was far more damaging to us long term than merely taking 48 points away from us.

Not only did Graves want to demote us to improve Yorkshire’s chances in the short term of both success and of securing the best local talent, he also wanted to ensure long term that we wouldn’t be bothering his team - Headingley having no competition for Tests for one, which negatively would impact on our chances of making money for squad strengthening - to literally grind us into the dirt, he wanted it to be as long a way back for us as possible.

He certainly guaranteed that given recent evidence but now, perhaps a glimmer?

It cannot be denied that we’ve turned the corner off the field, are we also now turning it on?

Like them or loathe them - Bostock, Botham and North have made some very good moves off the field and it appears to me, atleast in the short term, on it too.

Durham is once again becoming a club to be at.

The return of Raine was good for both parties - initially it could’ve been argued more for he than for we, but his performances for us have proven completely that he’s a very good cricketer - so too, probably were the Coughlin and now Borthwick returns and it’s fair to say that had any of the last two been a roaring success at the clubs they left us for they likely wouldn’t be returning - but all three still have plenty left to give and I think all three will go on to improve us long term.

It’s always more pleasing to see local lads doing well for us than lads from elsewhere and to get such a solid performer like Borthwick back in an area of great need is a huge step in the right direction. It’s long since been acknowledged that we are absolutely excellent at producing seam bowlers, but Borthwick is one of very few top class batsmen that've come through our ranks.

I’ve said elsewhere I take this season with a pinch of salt, had we been in normal times I fancied us to challenge for promotion and with the potential of another couple of shrewd additions for 2021 I think we’d be underachieving if we don’t go on and compete strongly for promotion.

Hopefully Bancroft will return, if that’s the case, along with Borthwick, I think suddenly our fragile batting lineup is improved tenfold.

It’s clear we need a finger spinner, whether that can be Trevaskis in the long term is unknown but probably unlikely, but since Blackwell left it’s an area we’ve always struggled. Historically too, I remember our first stint in the top division after Boon left - we could bowl spin and we couldn’t play spin and that was one of the main reasons for our undoing, very much similar to England for long periods and like them now, we’re probabaly only a quality finger spinner away from reaching the next level.

That aside, conditions in England (and certainly conditions in Chester-le-street) will still probably mean that’s not too much of an issue for the most part and seamer wise, I’m optimistic that the legendary conveyor belt of North East seam bowling production will continue to do its thing. The attack against Notts was what I see as being our best going into 2021. Rushy is a legend; I’d argue the best bowler we’ve ever had, Carse needs to be allowed to bowl fast and aggressive regardless of how expensive he is, Raine has proven himself to be both very economical but also handy for picking up wickets and Coughlin I see getting better in time, hopefully he’s put the injury trouble behind him and can improve. With Potts and Salisbury waiting in the wings, we’ve got enough rotation to go through before we need to worry too much about the lads in the Academy.

Fantasy Cricket time:

Lees
Bancroft
Borthwick
Bedingham
Harte
Burnham
Eckersley
Carse
Raine
Coughlin
Rushworth

Strong side that :cool:

I’ve said time and again that this season shouldn’t be a negative reflection on anyone, the likes of Dickson, Steel and Burnham will benefit from a proper pre-season and a decent lead up into the season. Up until the second innings at Trent Bridge I didn’t think Jones had anything to suggest he can cut it at county level, but I was pleasantly surprised to see him (and Dickson) putting an innings together.

Poynter and Clark could be decent options for the number 6 slot too down the line, both could profit coming in against an old ball and being allowed to play their shots, especially so in Clark’s case.

It’s positive food for thought going into next year and hopefully the club are able to retain everyone for atleast another season and the benefit of having a proper look at a seasons worth of work on and off the field.
 


With the proper cricket season over for the year and only a few T20 games left of which we’ve got nothing to play for except pride and averages, attention (for me atleast) turns to next year.

As I mentioned on the Borthwick thread I had planned to do this thread to discuss where we go (or where we NEED to go from here) and one of the names on my shopping list would’ve absolutely been Borthwick.

This is a massive signing for us for many reasons, I’ve never been more gutted to lose any player than when SB left, I could’ve handled the Stoneman loss if Scott had stayed but them both leaving was a real sea change. It was the realisation that FTECB’s punishment was far more damaging to us long term than merely taking 48 points away from us.

Not only did Graves want to demote us to improve Yorkshire’s chances in the short term of both success and of securing the best local talent, he also wanted to ensure long term that we wouldn’t be bothering his team - Headingley having no competition for Tests for one, which negatively would impact on our chances of making money for squad strengthening - to literally grind us into the dirt, he wanted it to be as long a way back for us as possible.

He certainly guaranteed that given recent evidence but now, perhaps a glimmer?

It cannot be denied that we’ve turned the corner off the field, are we also now turning it on?

Like them or loathe them - Bostock, Botham and North have made some very good moves off the field and it appears to me, atleast in the short term, on it too.

Durham is once again becoming a club to be at.

The return of Raine was good for both parties - initially it could’ve been argued more for he than for we, but his performances for us have proven completely that he’s a very good cricketer - so too, probably were the Coughlin and now Borthwick returns and it’s fair to say that had any of the last two been a roaring success at the clubs they left us for they likely wouldn’t be returning - but all three still have plenty left to give and I think all three will go on to improve us long term.

It’s always more pleasing to see local lads doing well for us than lads from elsewhere and to get such a solid performer like Borthwick back in an area of great need is a huge step in the right direction. It’s long since been acknowledged that we are absolutely excellent at producing seam bowlers, but Borthwick is one of very few top class batsmen that've come through our ranks.

I’ve said elsewhere I take this season with a pinch of salt, had we been in normal times I fancied us to challenge for promotion and with the potential of another couple of shrewd additions for 2021 I think we’d be underachieving if we don’t go on and compete strongly for promotion.

Hopefully Bancroft will return, if that’s the case, along with Borthwick, I think suddenly our fragile batting lineup is improved tenfold.

It’s clear we need a finger spinner, whether that can be Trevaskis in the long term is unknown but probably unlikely, but since Blackwell left it’s an area we’ve always struggled. Historically too, I remember our first stint in the top division after Boon left - we could bowl spin and we couldn’t play spin and that was one of the main reasons for our undoing, very much similar to England for long periods and like them now, we’re probabaly only a quality finger spinner away from reaching the next level.

That aside, conditions in England (and certainly conditions in Chester-le-street) will still probably mean that’s not too much of an issue for the most part and seamer wise, I’m optimistic that the legendary conveyor belt of North East seam bowling production will continue to do its thing. The attack against Notts was what I see as being our best going into 2021. Rushy is a legend; I’d argue the best bowler we’ve ever had, Carse needs to be allowed to bowl fast and aggressive regardless of how expensive he is, Raine has proven himself to be both very economical but also handy for picking up wickets and Coughlin I see getting better in time, hopefully he’s put the injury trouble behind him and can improve. With Potts and Salisbury waiting in the wings, we’ve got enough rotation to go through before we need to worry too much about the lads in the Academy.

Fantasy Cricket time:

Lees
Bancroft
Borthwick
Bedingham
Harte
Burnham
Eckersley
Carse
Raine
Coughlin
Rushworth

Strong side that :cool:

I’ve said time and again that this season shouldn’t be a negative reflection on anyone, the likes of Dickson, Steel and Burnham will benefit from a proper pre-season and a decent lead up into the season. Up until the second innings at Trent Bridge I didn’t think Jones had anything to suggest he can cut it at county level, but I was pleasantly surprised to see him (and Dickson) putting an innings together.

Poynter and Clark could be decent options for the number 6 slot too down the line, both could profit coming in against an old ball and being allowed to play their shots, especially so in Clark’s case.

It’s positive food for thought going into next year and hopefully the club are able to retain everyone for atleast another season and the benefit of having a proper look at a seasons worth of work on and off the field.
Well that team would have got promoted last season.

Spot on post all round nowt to add, think you ended the thread in one post.

One thing I will add though about this season, is seeing rushy saying this. When he should be involved in the t20

 
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Looking forward if you are positive you would think things can only get better as we will probably finish bottom of our groups in both competitions.
Before a ball was bowled this season our Batting looked fragile which proved to be the case but surprisingly our bowling in both competitions was poor. The lack of any quality slow bowler was going to be an issue at some stage especially away from home and the pace attack definitely did not perform the way it should although hopefully that can be put right for next season.
Nobody really knows what the financial implications of this season will be to us and all counties in the next few seasons but surely money is going to be tight and some tough decisions will have to be made.
Looking at our squad iam not sure if there is that many changes that can be made as the vast majority of the squad are under contract. I would think Rimmington will definitely be off. Then they have a decision to make in Clark and even Scott Steel who I believe are both out of contract. Another question is has Jones done enough to get a contract if he had have failed in that last innings I reckon he would have been off but has that saved him. Then what's happening with Bedingham it was strange in the first place to only sign a one year deal but it would be a good signing if they can retain him.
Another thing I would love to know is what is this Berhadian signing all about and has he been signed to be a one day specialist. Also is he classed an an overseas player next season.
Borthwick will undoubtedly help us next season with bat ball and in the field and I would imagine Bancroft will be back as he agreed to cancel this season's contract.
 
I don't think it's fair to throw youngsters into open, especially at the Riverside. It's too big a step; introduce them in the middle order and gradually promote them up the order. Jones is only 22 year old,thought he grafted well at Trent Bridge. Would think Behardien has been signed for all formats and with Badger returning can't see Bedingham returning.
My top six would be
Lees
Bancroft
Borthwick
Harte
Behardien
Burnham
I really rare Potts but at 21 year mustn't be overbowled. Rushy and Raine are fixtures and a toss up between Carse and Salisbury depending on conditions.
Dickson,Jones, Bell and Bushnell back up batting, P &J Coughlin, Cambell, Trevaskis back up bowling. Need a reserve w/k which is Franklin's mate.
S Steel and Clark on white ball contracts.
With a few development contracts that's about enough squad.
 

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