ECB Durham preview
New Arrivals
Roache was happy withSurrey but wanted a change of scenery. Kasey Aldridge and Archie Bailey have arrived permanently from Somerset and Gloucestershire following 2025 loan spells while ex-Afghanistan U19 leg-spinner Shafiqullah Ghafari has signed as a local. Mitchell Killeen, Paul Coughlin and Bas de Leede have all departed.
What we’re looking forward to seeing: Promotion must be the priority following a last-minute relegation last September. Alongside Lancashire, they start the summer as one of the favourites in Division Two. A number of players, old and young, have a point to prove up at the Banks Homes Riverside, where coach Ryan Campbell will be urging positive, attacking cricket. Ironically, though, their lack of chutzpah with the bat during the final afternoon of 2025 at Headingley in September cost them their Division One status.
Aiming to catch the Test selectors’ eye: Opening batter Emilio Gay led the way for Durham last summer with nigh on 1,000 runs in Division One, including a best of 161, and then scored two half-centuries for the Lions in Australia before Christmas. A flying start to the season could do wonders for the 25-year-old left-hander’s hopes of a senior England debut.
Final thought: Durham fans will hope there’s no lingering disappointment following last year’s relegation, which hit them like a freight train on the season’s final day. Needing to bat out the last two sessions against Yorkshire at Headingley, they crumbled to 85 all out to fall through the trap door. They could also do with a more settled bowling unit after injuries and unavailability hurt them last year. The lack of support for Ben Raine’s 44 wickets was an issue