Suddenly it's Summer

posted by John Winn

Like Tony I enjoyed Harry Pearson's talk last Tuesday since when I have picked up a copy of his biography of Learie Constantine at a knock down price for a book in pristine condition. A couple of days later came April's copy of Cricketer complete with its excellent spreadsheet of fixtures all of which has built up my enthusiasm for the new season which for me starts tomorrow. Suddenly it's back in the old routine with a trip to my local supermarket this morning to acquire the materials for a packed lunch and by 9:00  Tuesday morning I will be on the train from Northallerton to Durham, then the bus to Chester le Street and the ten minute walk to The Riverside which if the forecast is to be believed will be enjoying decent weather.

As I type there is barely a cloud in the sky, and while Durham v Durham University is hardly the cream of the crop the chance to hear bat on ball, chat to old friends who hopefully have wintered well and get the thing up and running as early as March 26th which for me will be my earliest start, nosing ahead of a trip to Loughboro' on March 28th in 2017, is too good to be missed.  After two winters when they lost players to richer counties Durham seemed to have stemmed the outward flow of players and while additions have been few in number the return of Ben Raine to his native heath is very encouraging. The county has undergone a shake up in its management and coaching setup with Marcus North coming as Director of Cricket and James Franklin as 'high performance coach'. The image makers have been busy too for my new membership card no longer carries the county badge but carries an image of a roaring lion and the slogan Durham Cricket.

Despite league cricket still being a week or two away there is plenty to rouse pcws from their hibernation with matches at six grounds starting Sunday and the county championship at six venues a week on Friday. A full complement follows on Thursday 11th before The Royal London Cup takes the stage for four weeks on the 17th. If white ball cricket is not your bag, just four days later there will be plenty of league cricket to entertain you. To encourage you further The Daily Star today forecasts a 26 degree 'Spring Scorchio' a forecast you might just like to treat with a little caution but be prepared, factor in the Factor 30 and enjoy the summer.