Durham will be looking to build on their strong performance against Essex – when they take on Worcestershire at Seat Unique Riverside tomorrow in the Vitality County Championship.
Ryan Campbell’s side dominated Essex across all three days – but Dean Elgar and Tom Westley showed resistance on the final day to hold out for a draw. Durham took 16 points from the clash in Chelmsford, moving them up to fourth in the Division One table.
A 14 player squad has been named to take on Worcestershire which includes the return of Ben Stokes. The England men’s Test captain will play his final game for the club, before leading England out for their Test series against West Indies. Peter Siddle will also play in his final game for Durham, as his stint with the Club comes to an end.
The result against Essex keeps Durham well in contention for the County Championship and face a Worcestershire side who sit second bottom with 72 points, in ninth place. Round nine fixtures which get underway tomorrow, is the final round of matches before the Vitality Blast and Metro Bank One Day Cup return.
Worcestershire are one of two teams who are yet to win in the County Championship this season, as Durham beat them back in April at Kidderminster inside three days. The Pears have signed off-spin bowler Amar Virdi from Surrey on a one match loan spell ahead of this week’s fixture.
Words from Ryan Campbell
I think we walk away from the Essex game disappointed we couldn’t bowl them out on the last day but I’m walking away really pleased with the guys. Not many teams come to Chelmsford and really dominate Essex. Those first three days, we had control of the game and were the only team that could win the game.
We go home against Worcestershire with Ben Stokes in the team, so Pottsy will have one more chance to prove to him that he is the guy.
We try and bring our A game to every game and every time we play; we are a working-class team, we don’t think we are outstanding in any form, but put us all together and we are bloody good.
We try to always be operating at that high level, it doesn’t matter who are we are playing against.
I love Worcestershire, I think they are a wonderful team and let’s be honest they have had their downs this year and I know them as a team are gelled together and they’ll give us an almighty fight but what I can say is, I. reckon it is going to be another four days of exciting cricket.
Squad v Worcestershire (30-3 July)
Colin Ackermann, David Bedingham, Scott Borthwick*, Graham Clark, Paul Coughlin, Bas de Leede, Michael Jones, Alex Lees (vc), Callum Parkinson, Matthew Potts, Ben Raine, Ollie Robinson+, Peter Siddle, Ben Stokes
Opposition Corner
Captain: Brett D’Oliveira
Head Coach: Alan Richardson
2023 finish: Second (Division Two)
2023 highest run-scorer: Jake Libby (1153)
2023 highest wicket-taker: Joe Leach (48)
Key winter moves: Rob Jones will strengthen the top order batting after his move from Lancashire on a three-year contract. All-rounder Tom Taylor from Northamptonshire will primarily add depth to the bowling department after penning a four-year move. New Zealand all-rounder Nathan Smith, leading wicket-tasker in the Plunket Shield, is available all summer for all formats.
Player most likely to Baz-Ball: Kashif Ali played several destructive innings last summer, most notably his 88 off 36 balls in a Metro Bank One-Day Cup match against Derbyshire, and the signing from the South Asian Cricket Academy is capable of more similar heroics in 2024.
Final thought: Asley Giles has brought a positivity to the club in his role as CEO and quickly earned the support and respect of players, coaches and members alike despite his long-standing Warwickshire connections. He is aware of the demanding task ahead in trying to finish above the bottom two but there is a belief that Worcestershire can at least compete in Division One.
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 Durham’s match centre and Durham YouTube channel. Durham Cricket will have full coverage on social media, with a full match report at the close.