Monday 28 August 2017

Durham v Derbyshire day 1

Durham 376-7 (Collingwood 127 not, Steel 72, Coughlin 68, Viljoen 4-100)

v Derbyshire

It has become de rigeur for visiting sides to opt to bowl in all but high summer, so was no real surprise when Derbyshire did exactly that today against Durham at The Riverside.

By the close of play, however, it is fair to say that we will not have thought it especially successful, with Durham batting solidly en route to what looks a total in excess of 400. We would have hoped to bowl them out by the close, so are already up against it in this match, needing to put together a similarly dogged batting display ourselves.

Paul Collingwood again held their innings together, a top knock by the former England man who has never been properly replaced in the national side. At 40 he remains a player of high quality, just like Kent's Darren Stevens, who took seven wickets today. On that basis, Tony Palladino has a long and glittering career ahead of him...

It was a good day for Hardus Viljoen, who ended it with a four-wicket haul after starting the day with one from the game's first ball, but less memorable for debutant Harry Podmore, who bowled twenty overs without reward.

Nor were there any wickets for Imran Tahir, although the first day at Durham is unlikely to be top of the 'grounds to bowl on before you retire' list of any leg-spinner.

A brisk end to the home innings is needed tomorrow and then a similarly disciplined innings from our lads.

I'll see you then.

3 comments:

  1. In previous CC matches at Durham this season the side batting second has been able to win or draw the match with ease.
    Presumably this is why we have declined the toss and the chance to bat first on a good pitch. Our previous efforts batting last this season would suggest we are looking at another sizeable defeat unless our erratic batting lineup can finally function properly.

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  2. Paul Fitzpatrick29 August 2017 at 21:25

    DAY 2
    Just got home from Durham
    Apart from the first hour on Day 1 the game was played in bright sunshine and batting got easier
    Today it was cool , overcast and played under lights
    Durham bowled fuller and straighter in my view
    It will be done and dusted tomorrow based on today's cricket
    Some serious reflection and planning required for 2018
    Durham have been wiped out by demotion , points deduction and loss of several players
    They played with a lot of grit and enthusiasm
    Coughlin and Potts look cracking prospects
    Fantastic hospitality from the local people
    Well Done Durham

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  3. We're a shambles, no improvement season after season in the four day game, and I honestly don't know where we go from here. A major clearout of the rubbish in this squad is needed, well that's nearly all the squad then isn't it?. Our aim next season will be to win two championship matches, then we can pop open the champagne bottles and party like it's 1999. Total garbage Derbyshire.

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