Coach anticipates outcome

Posted by John Winn

At 11:57 this morning Lancashire lost their first wicket of the day when Chilton was caught by Muchall off Claydon for 25. Two hours later and just twenty minutes after lunch, Hogg was bowled by Blackwell, Lancashire were all out for 148 and Durham had won a third succesive match without having to bat twice and on each occasion taken maximum points. For most teams the championship has reached halfway and Durham find themselves at the top of the first division and the size of today's victory has just about negated Lancashire's game in hand.
A local newspaper,and some Durham supporters,had been quite bullish about this fixture claiming that Lancashire's good start, today was their first defeat, was the result of playing their home games on result wickets at Liverpool and that playing at The Riverside would find them wanting. Those who made that prediction will no doubt pat themselves on the back and feel able to say 'I told you so',but Lancashire have won twice on their travels, on a minefield at Edgbaston for which the Bears were docked eight points, and at The Rose Bowl.Lancashire's next championship game in a little under three weeks is at Trent Bridge and that should give a clearer indication of their qualities.
Blackwell was the Red Rose chief's tormentor today finishing with four for 34 in an unbroken spell of twelve overs and four balls. Chapple was ninth out when he flat batted Claydon to Benkenstein on the cover boundary and this provoked the visitors' coach driver to start up his vehicle and bring it round to the players' exit. This apparent lack of confidence in number eleven's batting was fully justified when Hogg survived only eight balls and a contented and respectably sized Durham crowd applauded their side off and began to make their way home.
For many that will be their last view of county cricket until Yorkshire drop in on Saturday June 18th, when weather permitting, a good crowd can be expected. As I type this (5:30pm )The Tykes have got their noses in front at Hove, good to see Ballance playing such a resolute knock, and they may be able to rescue the draw.
Tomorrow sees the start of the T20 competition, and at The Riverside there is the added attraction of family fun day. My lawn needs cutting.