Durham not likely to draw

posted by John Winn

The fates have conspired in the form of bad weather and a broadband breakdown to prevent me posting any accounts of cricket watching for the last week but things are now back to normal, including the bus services in Chester le street so yesterday saw me in the usual routine of catching the train at Northallerton just before 9:00.

On Sunday I had been at Headingley to see an innings by Jonny Bairstow that will long live in my memory while 90 miles north 13 wickets had fallen at the Riverside. Not to be outdone yesterday went five better as eighteen batsmen made their way back to the pavilion, none of whom had made a fifty. Notts innings on Sunday had been rescued by a century from Wessells who I recall making 90 at the ground towards the end of the last season but none of Durham's fragile line up could make much of a wicket that helped a rather unfamiliar Notts' attack. Star of the show was Yorkshire born Brett Huttton  assisted by another product of the Broad Acres, Luke Wood while the familiar figure of Luke Fletcher carried the drinks.

The return of Wood from England duty and Onions from injury meant that Durham could leave out Arshad and Coughlin but although Stokes was on the ground* both days, like an out of work actor he was 'resting' so the hapless MacLeod continued at five and he picked up a duck to add to the one he had in the second innings at Lord's last week. He averages under 20 in championship cricket this season. There have been suggestions that Mustard's place is in doubt but he began with a couple of trademark fours of his legs when Wood strayed in line but he was soon gone for 17 and his average is in single figures.

 

Lunchtime score at The Riverside (Durham 155 for 7)

 

Second time round Notts found it no easier than they had on Sunday but 45 from James Taylor and another good knock from Wessells saw them reach 178 and a lead of 259. It was almost inevitable that Durham would lose a wicket before the close and so they did with Stoneman out to Philander giving Wood the opportunity to play night watchman again. He made a better fist of it than on Sunday when he did not get through to the close and will start on 1 not out this morning when Durham will try and get a further 245 to win. Wary of what happened to Paddy Ashdown on election night I will not offer to eat any articles of clothing if Durham win but to score over 250 on a wicket where on average five wickets have fallen in every session over the two days is I suggest very unlikely. So unlikely that I am going to Headingley .

* given Stokes' reputation I should explain that this merely means he was present at The Riverside. The use of on rather than at in this sense is I believe  more common  west of The Pennines.

 

Groundstaff ponder the wicket