Cricket without controversy

 Posted by Tony Hutton

The recent publication of fixtures for Leeds/Bradford University's somewhat abbreviated season comes as a pleasant surprise for those of us who watch cricket at all levels and just look for something quiet and peaceful to pass the early days of the season. I say abbreviated as it looks very much as if the days of two or three day matches between the leading Universities, which ended with a Lord's Final, have gone for ever since the takeover by the ECB from the previously more enlightened MCC.

This presumably, although there does not seem to have been any announcement of the fact, seems to be in the same vein as the recent decision to cancel the long standing fixtures between Oxford and Cambridge and Eton and Harrow, which have been played at Lord's almost since time began.

However the Leeds/Bradford University side, which has produced many county cricketers over recent years, is still under the watchful eye of long serving South African coach Andrew Lawson. Two of their leading batsmen from last season Taylor Cornall and Josh de Caries now have contracts with Worcestershire and Middlesex respectively. 

Early season cricket at the University ground, Weetwood, Leeds.

Here is a list of the fixtures which have been announced, with all home games being played at the Weetwood ground in Leeds.

28th March - Leicestershire at Leicester in a three day game.

2nd April - Yorkshire at home in a three day game.

7th April - Lancashire seconds at home in a three day game.

12th April - Nottinghamshire seconds at home in a three day game.

19th April - Bristol University at home in a one day (50 over) game.

21st April - Oxford University at the Parks in a one day (50 over game.

22nd April - Cambridge University at Fenners in a one day (50 over) game.

24th April - Loughborough University away at Loughborough in a one day (50over game)

26th April - Worcestershire at Kidderminster in a three day game.

3rd May - Exeter University at home in a one day (50 over) game.

4th May - Cardiff University at home in a one day (50 over) game.

6th May - Durham University at Durham Racecourse in a one day (50 over) game.

13th May - Yorkshire at home in a T20 game.

26th May - MCC at home in a one day friendly game.

Positive outlook for Durham

 Posted by Tony Hutton

In contrast to their noisy neighbours to the south, Durham county cricket club appear to be riding the storm surrounding all forms of cricket without too much anxiety and appear well prepared for the forthcoming season. They will be celebrating thirty years as a first class county, during which time they have had several notable achievements. There have been few comings and goings during the winter months, unlike certain other counties, and the only newcomer of note seems to be 23 year old off spin bowler George Drissell, after spells with both Gloucestershire and Somerset. A native of Bristol he acquired the somewhat unfortunate nickname of  'Drissell from Brissel' on some of the live streaming of Somerset's Royal London Cup games last season.

George Drissell in Somerset colours.

However the rest of the squad sees little change with a nice mixture of youth and experience. One assumes that Scott Borthwick will retain the captaincy in championship matches, where he will have experienced batsmen like overseas star, from South Africa, David Bedingham, Alex Lees, Shaun Dixon and Graham Clark, who had such a successful season in limited overs cricket last season, to support him. Michael Jones, still only 24, established himself as Lees' opening partner towards the end of last season and there might just be an opportunity for Scotland under 19 player Tom Mackintosh, who can also keep wicket.

David Bedingham, whose 257 last season against Derbyshire was Durham's second highest ever.

Obviously the county will have to do without the England pair of Ben Stokes and Mark Wood for most of the season, but they are well served by several all rounders in the shape of Paul Coughlin and the two youngsters Liam Trevaskis and Luke Doneathy. Ned Eckersley, who has proved such a valuable signing, since joining from Leicestershire, will no doubt start as regular wicket keeper.

The bowling department once again will mainly revolve around the evergreen Chris Rushworth. Now 35 he is still one of the most dangerous opening bowlers on the circuit and his opening spell always seems to bring a wicket or two without fail. Ben Raine will no doubt continue to give Rushworth good support and one hopes that Brydon Carse can stay fit to give that bit of extra pace. The ever improving Matty Potts and Matt Salisbury will also be well in the frame and there are also great hopes that young left arm seamer Jack Campbell will continue to improve, after being given a new contract.

Durham are a very well run and welcoming club and we wish them well in celebrating their thirty years as a first county with success both on and off the field.