Lead High Performance Coach James Franklin has named a 14-man squad for Durham’s opening three Vitality Blast games.
Durham kick off their Blast campaign tomorrow against Yorkshire Vikings [Friday 11 June] at 6:30pm which will see fans return to Emirates Riverside for their first glimpse of white ball cricket in 2021.
Friday’s T20 will see Cameron Bancroft lead Durham out as captain, having been named T20 skipper for Durham’s Vitality Blast campaign.
Graham Clark is included in the Durham squad for the first time this summer and is set to make his return to the professional squad, having featured for the Seconds in the early part of the season.
Franklin has named left arm fast bowler Jack Campbell in the squad, who is yet to make an appearance in white ball cricket for Durham.
Ben Stokes isn’s yet available and is continuing his rehabilitation ready to feature for Durham in the later stages of the Vitality Blast.
Alex Lees isn’t included in tomorrow’s squad following the news this week that he will miss the whole of Durham’s Vitality Blast campaign, having broken his hand against Worcestershire last week.
Squad vs Yorkshire Vikings (11 June)
Cameron Bancroft*, David Bedingham, Scott Borthwick, Jack Burnham, Brydon Carse, Jack Campbell, Graham Clark, Paul Coughlin, Sean Dickson, Ned Eckersley, Matthew Potts, Ben Raine, Matt Salisbury, Liam Trevaskis
Words from the Head Coach
The start of the Blast is here and a busy and hectic schedule over the next month, but that is good and that is particularly good if we can get off to a good start. The boys have had a bit of a breather at the start of the week, we had a hit out against Nottinghamshire Seconds on Wednesday and then a light training session this afternoon [Thursday]
With Alex missing that brings new opportunity for others, Graham Clark comes back into the squad, he was one of our star batters at the top last season. In terms of his partner, we played around with a couple of combinations against Nottinghamshire, so we are excited about the balance of the openers. We feel that even though a strong Yorkshire side is coming to Riverside tomorrow, we still feel like we can go out there, put a good performance in and go out and win a cricket.
Bancroft is going to lead us in this tournament, a change from Scott in the Championship. He has done a wonderful job, but for this T20 format we think Cameron is the right person, with a change of voice and change of leadership.
The Opposition
Coach: Andrew Gale
Captain: David Willey
Last year’s performance: Fifth (North Group)
2020 Leading Runscorer: Adam Lyth (308 @ 38.5)
2020 Leading Wicket Taker: Matthew Fisher (8 @ 15.25), Jordan Thompson (8 @ 25.5)
Overseas players: Lockie Ferguson (New Zealand – whole group stage), Duanne Olivier (South Africa – whole tournament), Mathew Pillans (South Africa – whole tournament)
Key man: David Willey – Captain and explosive all-rounder has only found rhythm for Yorkshire this summer following injury and unavailability – five years after leaving Northamptonshire. If he finds form, the Vikings could fly.
Flies under the radar: Jordan Thompson – Emerging all-rounder to watch at 24. Last season’s standout player for Yorkshire in four-day cricket, he bats, bowls and fields and has plenty of fire in his belly.
Best player under 24: Harry Brook. Exhilarating batsman, 22. Scored maiden fifty in 25th T20 appearance at the end of 2020 and will plan to build on strong starts from openers Adam Lyth and Tom Kohler-Cadmore.
Blast expectations: How Yorkshire have only ever reached Finals Day twice (2012 and 2016) is a mystery. They have had strong squads throughout the last two decades, but success hasn’t arrived. This year is no different. England duo Jonny Bairstow and Adil Rashid should be available for the first four or five matches, and the Vikings must capitalise. Plenty of batting power, they have beefed up their fast-bowling stocks with the signing of New Zealand quick Lockie Ferguson. Captain David Willey has helped design a striking new Nike playing shirt and wants his team to play a similarly electric brand of cricket. But they have to play smart as well if they want to break their trophy duck.
Match Centre
The Club’s match centre will be in operation for the fixture with live scorecards, statistics & video highlights as they happen. You can watch the game live via the club’s match centre and clubs YouTube channel.
There will also be regular updates on Twitter, with a match report and post-match reaction on the website following the fixture.
Tickets
This match is sold out and tickets won’t be available on the gate. Season tickets can still be purchased at the box office by calling 0191 387 1717, via the ticket section of the website (click here) or by visiting the box office between Monday and Friday from 10am-4pm.