Durham’s Academy side have qualified for the knockout stages of both the under-15s & under-17s GULF Cup competitions.
The squad have already reached the under-17 final tomorrow (Tuesday 8 January) & are aiming for a second final at the under-15 stage, with the quarter-final taking place this evening (Monday 7 January).
They have been beaten only once in nine matches on the tour so far, a trip which serves as integral preparation for both the upcoming season & their futures in the game.
Setting totals proves fruitful
In the older of the two categories, Durham have won all four games to date – & batted first in every one of them.
Group stage victories over Battle Face, Dhoni Academy & Moin Khan Academy of Pakistan were all founded on the ability to defend good totals.
The highest total came in the victory over Moin Khan in the final group match, scoring 183/5 with Ben Mckinney top-scoring on 69.
And the bowlers backed up their efforts, bowling the opposition out in all three matches. Mitchell Killeen’s figures of 4/15 against Battle Face are the best figures to date, while Jake Dickinson returned best figures of 4/20 & 3/37 in the next two fixtures.
Those three wins set up a semi-final against a strong Spring Champion side & the Academy were again able to defend a total to get through to the final.
Tom Mackintosh’s 56 was the backbone in scoring 145/3 & Spring Champion managed just 122/8 in reply with two wickets apiece for Dickinson, Robbie Dawson & Jack Scott.
Strong start ensures 15s qualification
Two dominant showings in their opening matches ensured a defeat in the third match wouldn’t prevent the Academy from qualifying in the under-15 competition.
A ten-wicket win over UAE Women followed by another convincing eight-wicket win against Dubai Young Talents Cricket Academy.
Robbie Dawson’s 4/6 was the standout showing of the first game as UAE Women were skittled for 81 & Lucas Parry’s unbeaten half century steered John Windows’ side home with ease.
Harry Crawshaw’s 64 not out ensured a straightforward passage through the second match, making it two from two.
And so defeat in the final group match did not matter as they qualified in second place, losing out in a tight two-wicket loss to Spring Super Kings.