Durham Cricket Visually Impaired Cricket team drew against Yorskshire in their first game of the season.
Four batters scored half-centuries towards a total of 255 but the hosts failed to bowl the opposition out and walked away with a draw.
Durham’s side are looking to retain the BCEW Northern Regional Development League Trophy for a third consecutive season, having won it in the 2019 and 2021.
Opening batters Nathan Jameson and Harry Hood were exceptional with the bat and ball, both reaching half-centuries and taking two wickets each with bowling figures of 2-5 and 2-13 respectively.
Durham’s high-scoring innings was undermined by a high percentage of extras given away, with 45 wides and 17 no-balls, making up for 62 extras towards Yorkshire’s total of 101.
Jameson scored an unbeaten half-century (52*) from 18 balls. Following the rules of the visually impaired game, Jameson had to retire upon scoring 52* with B1 player Nadeem Mughal taking the crease but getting bowed for a duck.
Jack Moffatt stepped in for 57* from 25 balls before he had to retire. Opening batter Hood was joined by Emma Gilfoyle as both scored their half-centuries bringing the total to over 200.
Durham had decided to declare after 20 overs and closed their innings on 255-5, leaving 32 overs to Yorkshire, with the aim to have longer to bowl the visitors out.
In the rules of the League, a visually impaired game lasts a total of 52 overs, with the team batting first allowed a maximum of 28 overs at the crease. The winning team is the one that manages to bowl the opposition out.
Andrew Jameson and Jack Moffatt opened the bowling for the hosts against a strong batting pair featuring Yorkshire’s B1 14-year-old player Archie Hare who was providing the main resistance in the middle for the visitors.
Excellent fielding by Durham backed up the bowling action with wicket-keeper Kim Pearson catching Yorkshire’s top scorer Bob Baines out for 22.
Staying in for 74 balls, Hare was dismissed for 12 and it was only after he was out that Durham’s attack was able to put maximum pressure on Yorkshire’s lower order but to no avail.
Yorkshire scored 101-6, with Durham falling short of bowling the opposition out and ending the game in a draw.
The six wickets were shared amongst Nathan Jameson (2-5), Helen Robinson (2-5) and Harry Hood (2-13).
Getting involved in Visually Impaired Cricket
Durham’s Visually Impaired Cricket Team are always welcoming new players and no previous experience in the game is needed to get involved. Those wanting to game a go, can get in touch with Durham Cricket’s Disability Development Officer Duncan Newing on Duncan.newing@durhamcricket.co.uk