Durham Jets captain Mark Stoneman has called on his side to outwork the Worcestershire Rapids ahead of the opening Natwest T20 Blast fixture tomorrow night.
The opener is an opportunity for Stoneman’s side to lay down a marker as they attempt to make history in winning the club’s first T20 title.
Head coach Jon Lewis goes into the game without distinguished power hitter and overseas player John Hastings, with the all-rounder ruled out before the 2016 campaign due to ongoing injury problems.
It leaves a host of in-form Second XI players vying for his and other spots in the side as Durham try and create a winning formula from the off.
Barry McCarthy and James Weighell both starred in the four-day victory against Lancashire during the week and there could be chance for others in the 14-man squad to step up on the big stage at New Road.
And Stoneman is looking for his side to be smart with their cricket and build towards a big total, rather than relying on a dash in the last five overs to get them up to par score.
“Without John Hastings we are without an out-and-out power player at the back end so we’re going to have to be aware of that in how we go about an innings, but we’ve still got plenty of depth” he said.
“We’re going to have to play a bit smarter and not leave ourselves with too much work to do at the back end.
“We’re looking to get off to a good start in the powerplay and maintain that, rather than getting off to a decent start, having a lull and trying to make things up at the end.
“We need to be pushing all the way through an innings and not letting any overs go to waste.”
Friday will also mark the return of 2015’s key man, all-rounder Usman Arshad, who excelled with the ball in last year’s competition.
Also capable of smashing the ball to all parts, Arshad’s death bowling caught the eye of many observers and he finished with 22 wickets – the fifth highest wicket tally in the country among the likes of Shaun Tait and Saeed Ajmal.
The 23-year-old averaged a wicket every ten deliveries, often bowling under pressure in the powerplay at the start and the closing overs at the end.
First team action has been limited as he focuses on white ball preparations and Stoneman has been encouraged with his performances for the Second XI
“He’s shown some great skill again in the early season white ball stuff, he’ll be a key player for us this year,” Stoneman said.
“Last time we played down at Worcester in the TV game he bowled one of the best overs in white ball cricket, he nailed every yorker that he bowled.
“He looks forward to the challenge, a couple of overs up front and a couple at the end where it’s the hardest times to bowl but he’s really keen to take up that role and lead the attack for the T20.”
Lewis has named a 14-man squad for the trip to the Midlands including Weighell, McCarthy and Paul Coughlin.
The latter’s progress has been carefully managed after an injury-ravaged 2015 but his 2nd XI showings have showed promise, including knocks of 52* and 91* against Warwickshire 2nd XI at Edgbaston last week.
Stuart Poynter and Calum MacLeod will also make the short trip across from Warwickshire after the commencement of their 2nd XI Championship game this evening.
Squad vs Worcestershire Rapids (20 May): Mark Stoneman (c), Phil Mustard (wk), Keaton Jennings, Paul Collingwood, Michael Richardson, Ryan Pringle, Scott Borthwick, Stuart Poynter, Calum MacLeod, James Weighell, Barry McCarthy, Usman Arshad, Paul Coughlin