chopsfc007
Striker
So you complained about something you didn't know about
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Durham Pre-Season 2026
- Thread starter Aidan11
- Start date
Presumably of the format,each team bat for a day of 90 overs,individuals batting twice if necessary.
Can't see why batters aren't also going to Dessert Springs even if it 's only net practise. Presumably the bowlers won't be bowling to empty nets.
I share your concern regarding the lack of realistic practise for our batters.
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GordonMuchallNo1Fan
Striker
It's all very amateurish. Not sure when that Sussex game was pencilled in for, certainly didn't notice it but my point remains. 2 days Vs Sussex isn't exactly great prep is it, they'll be on a bus the best part of 8 hours each way? Then the uni game I've always said is a complete waste of time but we'll see. I just hope it works as it seems very under cooked.
Well they've also got to get back into practise of sitting on their arse for several hours on the bus. Presumably it mustn't have been possible to extend that game to 4 days.
Dan..Dan..Dan..Dan
Striker
Surely the Sussex game should be a four dayer where we simply gaze into space for the last day hoping that our lives will end soon.
chopsfc007
Striker
Will be other teams in similar position
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Heard this about 30 years ago. Playing the old b&h rounds in the west indies.
Came up a 5 or 6 years ago play march county games there. Over 70s (county members complained) so never took off. Their ham sandwiches and flask of coffee would be cold by time they got there. Also grounds wouldn't open hour and half before play so they can queue up and get best seats. It is bonkers cricket members. Love them.
wayne entwhistle no9
Winger
Two weeks today gor the uni warm up game. "Warm up" being the hope if today is anything to go by.
Sussex by comparison have 4x 2day fixtures arranged beginning 19th March through to end of month.
Aidan11
Striker
It would be typical if the one we have arranged is rained off.
Raymondo
Central Defender
It’s been on the website for a good few weeks. 2 days in Hove and then 3 days at home to the students.
Would’ve liked to have seen them pencil in a proper fixture to replace the time they were due to spend overseas, but alas for whatever reason it hasn’t happened.
I think the early start of the season doesn’t help (it seems to get earlier every year
), I know going right back to our inaugural FC season, Durham ALWAYS asked for the first fixture to be away from home and where possible, for the second one also to be; to give extra time for the temperatures to rise sufficiently up North to allow enough time for the grass to grow so the ground staff can prepare pitches. Seems no valid reason why we couldn’t open up at Kent instead of at home to them, especially when we play them away in the first block of fixtures anyway.
I’m frustrated about the lack of preparation, but I’m not sure logistically it was a possibility to suddenly drop everything and get the whole squad abroad. Cricket is a twelve month of the year sport now it seems; Bedingham is still playing in the SA domestic one day stuff, the Sheffield Shield is still ongoing, everyone involved with the England T20 side is probably on ‘annual leave’. The Lions are only at home because their fixtures against Pakistan A had to be cancelled when the bombs started falling in the UAE. Ultimately, several of the first team squad probably aren’t even here at present.
Not so sure that the UAE tour would have been that beneficial given that it was primarily T20 games. The format of the Hove fixture should ensure all get a decent bowl and bat and again given the strength of the University side all should get a lengthy practise in that fixture.It’s been on the website for a good few weeks. 2 days in Hove and then 3 days at home to the students.
Would’ve liked to have seen them pencil in a proper fixture to replace the time they were due to spend overseas, but alas for whatever reason it hasn’t happened.
I think the early start of the season doesn’t help (it seems to get earlier every year
Seems no valid reason why we couldn’t open up at Kent instead of at home to them, especially when we play them away in the first block of fixtures anyway.
I’m frustrated about the lack of preparation, but I’m not sure logistically it was a possibility to suddenly drop everything and get the whole squad abroad. Cricket is a twelve month of the year sport now it seems; Bedingham is still playing in the SA domestic one day stuff, the Sheffield Shield is still ongoing, everyone involved with the England T20 side is probably on ‘annual leave’. The Lions are only at home because their fixtures against Pakistan A had to be cancelled when the bombs started falling in the UAE. Ultimately, several of the first team squad probably aren’t even here at present.
Raymondo
Central Defender
I think mainly the warm weather net sessions/strength and conditioning work would’ve been the most beneficial areas of the trip. Although I’m sure I had read there was one red ball fixture involved in all of it. Unless I’ve imagined that
Yes,2 day game v Yorkshire with same format presumably as the Sussex game. However match practise in UAE is a completely different concept than early Spring games in England.I think mainly the warm weather net sessions/strength and conditioning work would’ve been the most beneficial areas of the trip. Although I’m sure I had read there was one red ball fixture involved in all of it. Unless I’ve imagined that
GordonMuchallNo1Fan
Striker
It’s been on the website for a good few weeks. 2 days in Hove and then 3 days at home to the students.
Would’ve liked to have seen them pencil in a proper fixture to replace the time they were due to spend overseas, but alas for whatever reason it hasn’t happened.
I think the early start of the season doesn’t help (it seems to get earlier every year
Seems no valid reason why we couldn’t open up at Kent instead of at home to them, especially when we play them away in the first block of fixtures anyway.
I’m frustrated about the lack of preparation, but I’m not sure logistically it was a possibility to suddenly drop everything and get the whole squad abroad. Cricket is a twelve month of the year sport now it seems; Bedingham is still playing in the SA domestic one day stuff, the Sheffield Shield is still ongoing, everyone involved with the England T20 side is probably on ‘annual leave’. The Lions are only at home because their fixtures against Pakistan A had to be cancelled when the bombs started falling in the UAE. Ultimately, several of the first team squad probably aren’t even here at present.
I must have forgot or just haven't seen it about the 2 day game.
Still think we are very undercooked but we'll see. I'm looking forward to seeing friends again at the cricket but massively underwhelmed with just about all aspects of the club at the moment. I really hope we do well but I'm very concerned with our bowling lineup as I was last season.
See what happens I guess.
Raymondo
Central Defender
I was similarly underwhelmed all winter, but in the last week or so I’m coming round to a place of optimism
Maybe it’s just because I’m desperate to see some county cricket, but the batsmen should be able to perform to a level that is much improved from last year and I’m excited to see the new additions in the bowling attack.
I’m praying Potts can refind his form, but that’s maybe too much to expect
The Red Telephone
Striker
Pity we hadn't been playing this week - Could have got a bit of a tan on Tuesday and Wednesday. No doubt it'll be 2°C with a strong North Easterly for the Uni game.
No doubt it'll be 2°C with a strong North Easterly for the Uni game.
Raymondo
Central Defender
I agree with your feeling there, I think (for me) a lot of it has to do with how crap England’s overseas tours are now and the distinct lack of proper cricket going on elsewhere in the world.
