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LVCC D1 - Durham v Warwickshire

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brandon

Striker
Right lads, I know this is f***ing early. Perhaps the earliest Match thread of all time :shock:, but I'm a broken man at the minute as far as supporting Durham goes. I'm desperate for this game, we simply MUST win this one.

Granted the forecast at the minute is for more lost play, so we could be fighting more than just Warwickshire. If the rain does prevent a result, positive strides need to be taken in the match towards rebuilding and fighting the drop. It's the last game til after the slogathon competition so a marker has to be put down for this one.

Onto selection, the defeat to Lancs and possibly at Taunton show to me that Harmison for me is finished, to me he just doesn't earn his money anymore. I'd personally make wholesale changes. So much so that I myself couldn't at this stage pick an 11! I'd go for a squad (subject to injured players regaining fitness) of -

Di Venuto
Smith
Stoneman
Stokes
Collingwood
Benkenstein
Richardson
Blackwell
Mustard
Borthwick
Thorp
Harrison
Brathwaite

Smith and Stoneman are possibly in the last chance saloon, Richardson on the other hand deserves a chance, he's been scoring runs for fun in the 2's - I'd play him purely as a batsman. I also like the option of 2 spinners, even if they don't bowl until Day 3. Thorp is possibly at the shit or bust stage too, but he's a good new ball bowler. Harrison is there on merit (but has to sort the no balls) and then Brathwaite for me should be given a go, he was pretty decent last season and to be fair, all our other bowlers have had their chance and been shit!

So Geoff, if you're on here, theres my opinion, if you need a selector give me a shout. Oh and tell the lads to pull their f***ing finger out!
 

I'll be surprised if there are many changes, it looks as though the game may well be ruined by the weather but i hope that something disastrous doesnt happen like we're beaten within 2 days.

Bell wont be playing, but then again Onions will probably be called up for another pointless trip to the national side where he wont play.

We're a disaster zone at the minute and the CC break comes at an opportune time for us. We're not down yet but the bell is certainly tolling.

It'll be interesting too see whether we carry this appalling CC form into the T20's and CB40 or not.
 
Aye, I've wasted about ten minutes thinking that squad up but in truth there probably won't be many changes, maybe one or two. I do expect to see Richardson in the squad but it may just be a token gesture with him just ending up carrying the drinks.

The break from CC could help us, then again it may just mean problems that need sorting get put on the back burner and then come July the same players are playing and making the same shocking mistakes with the bat, etc.
 
stokes is back bowling, for me it would be harrison & brathwaite with the new ball, claydon & stokes first change with borthwick & colly in reserve.

Diva, Smith, Stoneman, Stokes, Collingwood, Richardson, Mustard (C/W), Borthwick, Harrison, Claydon, Brathwaite

perhaps wood in place of brathy or claydon. seems harsh to drop benks but the limited overs stuff is coming up so a rest may do him good. plus he dislocated his shoulder this month so it must still be sore. the fact that he is averaging under 10 suggests it wouldnt be the biggest miss anyhow
 
Agree with most of the OP, although I think Rushy will come in after how how bowled today. Also, saying Smith and Rocky are in the last chance saloon. Smith has 1 of our 2 first class centuries this season and Rocky looked in very good nick today and is one of the few natural opening batsmen we have if MDV isn't fit.
 
Agreed Rocky has been excellent in the CB40 but he needs to start scoring runs in the CC. As for Smith, one innings doesnt make a season and the 100 aside he too has been ordinary. I don't expect it will be their last chance tbh, let's face it Muchall has been failing constantly for about 8 year and he still gets a game.
 
safcdccc said:
Can't see Thorp getting a game
Click to expand...
That looks to be the way of it. He has been dropped which is a very strange decision. He cuts an unhappy figure at the minute.

Thorp in the 12 for tomorrow. No Blackwell.
 
The squad has been announced and no surprises.

WR Smith (2)
MD Stoneman (26)
GJ Muchall (24)
BA Stokes (38)
PD Collingwood (5)
DM Benkenstein (44)
P Mustard (19) Captain/wicket keeper
SG Borthwick (16)
J Harrison (13)
SJ Harmison (10)
CD Thorp (36)
C Rushworth (22)

I'd leave the useless Geordie out
 
Andy.SAFC said:
The squad has been announced and no surprises.

WR Smith (2)
MD Stoneman (26)
GJ Muchall (24)
BA Stokes (38)
PD Collingwood (5)
DM Benkenstein (44)
P Mustard (19) Captain/wicket keeper
SG Borthwick (16)
J Harrison (13)
SJ Harmison (10)
CD Thorp (36)
C Rushworth (22)

I'd leave the useless Geordie out
Click to expand...

Muchall, Stoneman, Harmison or Harrison?

I reckon Rushworth will get a start, but only cos he's Mustards cousin.
 
Aleem Dar said:
Muchall, Stoneman, Harmison or Harrison?

I reckon Rushworth will get a start, but only cos he's Mustards cousin.
Click to expand...

Harmison. I should have specified, the really useless Geordie
 
In batting order:

Mustard
Stoneman
Muchall
Smith
Colly
Benks
Stokes
Borthwick
Thorp
Harrison
Rushworth

We all saw yesterday that both Mustard and Stoneman can open. Yes it's a different format but I don't see any reason why it won't work. IIRC, Mustard has a decent record up the order. Too much pressure on Colly and Stokes coming in so high so drop them down to 5 and 7 where they can use a softer ball, and tiring bowlers to (hopefully) kick on.

Thorp and Rushworth to share the new ball.
 
Aleem Dar said:
In batting order:

Mustard
Stoneman
Muchall
Smith
Colly
Benks
Stokes
Borthwick
Thorp
Harrison
Rushworth

We all saw yesterday that both Mustard and Stoneman can open. Yes it's a different format but I don't see any reason why it won't work. IIRC, Mustard has a decent record up the order. Too much pressure on Colly and Stokes coming in so high so drop them down to 5 and 7 where they can use a softer ball, and tiring bowlers to (hopefully) kick on.

Thorp and Rushworth to share the new ball.
Click to expand...

So you would have a lad who scored a hundred last week down at 7?

Move him upto number 4 man.
 
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Safc_Luke said:
So you would have a lad who scored a hundred last week down at 7?
Click to expand...

Yes.

He's still a young, inexperienced lad and exposure to the sort of pressure he's been under this season could easily put him under a very poor spell which would delay his England career as he slips under the radar. He's good enough to bat 4 or 5 no doubt, but while we're in such poor First Class form he won't be playing his natural game.

Coming in at 250/5 will give him the license to do what he wants, coming in at 30/3 won't.

Just my opinion.
 
I wish Harmison would fuck off :evil:

Should be nowhere near the first team. He's bleeding Durham dry.
 
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