The longest season begins

posted by John Winn

At ten thirty yesterday morning the cricket season began, a season that will end in exactly six months time on the 26th of September. And remember that this is 10:30 GMT, clocks go forward this weekend and perhaps that is why the ECB had issued a directive that all six games that started yesterday should begin at that time. Durham v Durham MCCU was the fare on offer and  LNER trains and Go North East buses combined to get me to The Riverside shortly after 10:00, in time to enjoy complimentary coffee in the rarefied atmosphere of The Royal Caribbean hospitality suite where I was joined by my friend Alan Pinkney, our first meeting since the last day of the 2018 season when we had been present at the same ground for Collingwood's last stand which sadly proved to be a short one as Durham were beaten by Middlesex.

Durham won the toss and opted to bat, someone suggested that this was to get used to batting first which will be their lot in championship matches as visiting sides exercise their right to insert. A modest crowd saw acting skipper Lees open with Gareth Harte and the latter was soon on his way back to the comfort of the dressing room thanks to a sharp catch by Abhiras Singh in the gulley. The successful bowler was Xavier Owen, possibly the first Xavier to take a wicket at The Riverside in March. Next up was Ross Greenwell who gave Owen another scalp when he was caught behind. There followed a partnership of 116 between Lees and Will Smith. As befits their age the students looked very lively in the field and progress was little better than two an over. The PA announcer showed signs of early season rustiness, firstly by telling us that scorecards were available for £1 when in fact, like the coffee ,they were free and then advising that lunch would be at 12:45 when as we had anticipated it was at 12:30.

Shortly before lunch Singh was given a bowl and Lees tucked into his spin with relish. To his credit Singh stuck to his guns and finished the day with three wickets. Lees missed out on a century when a yes no interval with Smith was extended to include the word sorry and after a misfield a smart return from Sidwell saw him on his way for 74. Poynter, now with an Irish test cap to his name, and Pringle both went cheaply but Raine, Coughlin and Harding added useful runs with Smith who was unbeaten at the close on 148, when the county were 331 for 7. After morning sunshine the afternoon turned cold and tea at 3:10 was the signal for Alan and me to leave. Our next meeting will be on April 11th when Sussex will be the visitors by which time both counties will have seen championship action. Durham travel to Derby in the first round while Sussex entertain Leicestershire.

Cricketer magazine believes the second division 'is likely to be as tough as any in the last decade' but plays safe by predicting that the two relegated clubs, Lancashire and Worcestershire, will occupy the top two places, Sussex to finish third. Not surprisingly Surrey are expected to retain their title of county champions with Somerset most likely to threaten them. Essex predicted to finish third, will have Sir Alastair for the full campaign and he reminded us of his worth with an unbeaten 150 at Fenner's yesterday. Bottom two places are set aside for Hampshire and Kent, Notts 4th, Yorkshire 5th, which leaves Warwickshire in sixth.

I had hoped to type this while listening to commentary from Dubai on the Surrey v  MCC match but it has been washed out. Knew it should have been at Lord's.