meashambear wrote:

I watched the Sussex game & some of today but it is already apparent that we are not going to take 20 wickets. God knows where we get our overseas bowlers from but Fernando is no better than what we have, we can get Miles to bowl short, wide & erratically without flying someone in to do it!!

Booth is not up to it and Bamber looks like a smaller, slower version of Brookes, expensive as well.

Sorry to come across negative folks but I think we will be fighting with Sussex & Worcs to survive relegation this season from what I have seen so far.

Fighting with just the Pears, I think. Sussex looked decent against us and have had a good day against Somerset today (who, of course, pretty much demolished Worcester for much of the game).

The big question for today is will we avoid the follow on?

Both dismissals so far were poor shots. Yet again it is down to Sam Hain and Ed Barnard to rescue the team.

Or, contrariwise, another half century opening partnership. Well done lads!

Highveld wrote:

The big question for today is will we avoid the follow on?

Both dismissals so far were poor shots. Yet again it is down to Sam Hain and Ed Barnard to rescue the team.

Yates is still in??

Mikkyk wrote:

Highveld wrote:

The big question for today is will we avoid the follow on?

Both dismissals so far were poor shots. Yet again it is down to Sam Hain and Ed Barnard to rescue the team.

Yates is still in??

Don't ignore a certain posters narrative!

Poor side on paper turning into reality.

Hopefully we can scrape enough runs to avoid the follow on. Oh wait, as I type Hain has gone so 150/5. How I wish Tom Latham hadn't got injured!
This season is mirroring last year. At 234/7 Durham piled on a further 153 runs for the last 3 wickets - they should've got no more than 280. But, with so many bowlers out, we can't seem to polish teams off. This is shaping up to be a relegation struggle.

157/6. What was Barnard doing with that one day swipe at the ball? He skied it for an easy catch. Completely reckless shot. We'll be lucky to get 200.

Very good recovery by Smith and Booth. 232/6. Smith on 59 not out.

I’m very much enjoying watching Smith bat. Very easy on the eye. Proper cricketer!

Gave it away as the commentator said. Another wicket we again give to a very ordinary bit of bowling.

Good bit of resistance by Smith with some nice shots as well

Good to see that Kai Smith can play the Michael Burgess rescue role!

Michael Booth played well too - Maiden FC 50?

I’m very much enjoying the commentary. Two young enthusiastic lads. Much better than the pretentious stuff from some of the other county commentators!

Good to see a contribution from Kai and Taz this game, considering FC debut for both this season.

I agree that, although the match situation after two days is not all that great, we should take some comfort from the batting of Kai Smith and Michael Booth plus Taz Ali's bowling. It's the established players who've fallen short - combined bowling figures of 3-217 from Fernando, Bamber and Barnard plus, with the bat, Davies, Hain, Mousley and Barnard not making a fifty between them. That can all change in the second innings, of course. Plenty of cricket still to be played over the next two days.

An excellent partnership from Kai & Michael, in only their 2nd first class games, showing potential to be regular lower order contributers with the bat.

While Ed Barnard didn't get any wickets, is economy rate of 1.91 was important in slowing the Durham scoring rate and placing pressure on their batsmen.

Even though it is still early in the season, some worrying trends are developing, and what is especially concerning is the lack of reserve batsmen with any first team experience. It might be time for Tony Frost to start phoning other counties to see which batsmen they may be willing to release on loan.

Well we do have Latham to come and maybe a little bit of Bethell.

Highveld wrote:

An excellent partnership from Kai & Michael, in only their 2nd first class games, showing potential to be regular lower order contributers with the bat.

While Ed Barnard didn't get any wickets, is economy rate of 1.91 was important in slowing the Durham scoring rate and placing pressure on their batsmen.

Even though it is still early in the season, some worrying trends are developing, and what is especially concerning is the lack of reserve batsmen with any first team experience. It might be time for Tony Frost to start phoning other counties to see which batsmen they may be willing to release on loan.

Early days I know, but seeing Vaansh Jani play for the 2nds last week and looking at his averages for Loughborough UCCE and the South Asian team this season (and form in Aussie League cricket over the Winter), I do think there is a quality batter there, waiting for First team opportunities.

I'm not sure if he'll play for our 2nds or Loughborough tomorrow, but keep an eye on him (check out the 2nds thread on the Yorkshire game). I really hope a contract could be in the offing.

Vish needs a few poles in this dig otherwise he'll be the one getting dropped if OHD gets fit for Notts at home.