By twelve noon today the fourth chapter in a book with the working title 'Durham's worst ever championship season' will probably have closed with Gloucestershire having completed a victory inside seven sessions meaning that Durham's record in this season's Second Division will read played four lost four. This will be the first time in their 28 seasons as a first class county that they have lost the four opening championship games. It will of course leave them firmly rooted to the bottom of the table.
It is easy to see why they find themselves in this dire position, they have been bowled out in all eight innings, five times for under two hundred and have a measly three batting points, two of which were gained at New Road last week. I went to The Riverside on Monday to see Gloucestershire's first championship visit since 2003 knowing almost certainly the the West Country men would exercise their right and ask Durham to bat. In next to no time they were 14 for 3, a score they had last achieved a week ago at Worcester, Pringle, a surprise choice as opener, Bancroft and Lees, back in the same dark place as he was with Yorkshire a year ago, all back in the pavilion where they were joined three runs later by Harte. Recovery of sorts was mounted in contrasting styles by Burnham and Raine and some late runs for Salisbury brought the total to 158.
By the time I left at 6:00 the bowlers had brought Durham back into the picture with five wickets and that good work was continued yesterday morning when 'Glos' were restricted to a lead of just 16. I had opted for the shorter drive to Richmond, more of which later, but events at The Riverside reached me via texts from my friend Alan Pinkney who was at the scene. Thus shortly before lunch on the second day what was effectively a one innings match began with Durham batting on a strip that had had the benefit of being exposed to warm sunshine for a day and a half but the hapless Lees went lbw to the first ball of the innings and on the stroke of lunch makeshift opener Pringle was caught at mid on for 30 off 22 balls. The word 'brainless' accompanied Alan's text which brought that news.
Shortly after lunch Harte bagged a pair, lbw to Josh Shaw, a man for whom a career after cricket as a lorry driver between Leeds and Bristol beckons, and Burnham who has been the source of some solace also went for nought to make it 43 for 4. Bancroft, Trevaskis and Eckersley made contributions but all out 132 meant the visitors needed 117 to win, 64 of which were in the bag before stumps with just one wicket down. As I type Hammond and Shaw are just about to start the task of hitting another 53.
Assuming no miracle occurs where do Durham go from here? Watching the second XI in action in an SEC match with Notts at the home of Richmondshire CC one's mind turned to consideration of possible changes Durham might make and presumably new Director of Cricket, Marcus North, new Coach, James Franklin and new captain Cameron Bancroft,are going through the same exercise. If the idea is to turn to experience then names like Will Smith, not playing at Richmond, Michael Richardson, injured and Stuart Poynter might be in the frame. But how do you fit Poynter into the same side as Eckersley, the latter having at least shown some appreciation of how long four day games can last? Otherwise it is back to people like Steel and Clark who each played 12 championship games last season. For what it's worth Steel is 36 not out at 11:20, Richmond time, having faced 114 balls.
Durham miss out in next week's round of matches beginning on Monday. A chance to regroup and for those in need of time in the middle which is just about everybody there is a Second XI Championship game at Milton Keynes before Derbyshire arrive at The Riverside on June 3rd. I have a sneaking feeling Durham will bat first.
A penny for your thoughts Rushy?
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