Durham had a solid first season back in the top flight a year ago and they will be hoping to build on that and push on and challenge for the title this time around. A quarter final berth in the Vitality Blast is also something for a decent Durham outfit to push on from.
Last Season
County Championship: Fifth in Division 1
One Day Cup: Group Stage
Vitality Blast: Quarter Final
Club
Captain: Alex Lees
Overseas Player(s): David Bedingham, Brendan Doggett, Zak Foulkes (T20)
Ins: Sam Conners, Emilio Gay, Will Rhodes
Outs: Michael Jones, Brandon Glover, Oliver Gibson, Jonathan Bushnell
One to watch: Ben McKinney – has been knocking on the door at the Riverside for a while and an England Lions century could see this being his breakthrough season
Championship Odds: 12/1 Betfred
Strengths
Unlike a lot of sides in county cricket at the minute, Durham look nicely stocked with batters and the addition of Emilio Gay at the top of the order should provide a stability against the new ball that should allow a decent looking middle order, headed up by the classy David Bedingham, the chance to score runs quickly enough to allow Durham to force a result. Durham look to have the depth to their batting to cope with any England call-ups and Hundred selections throughout the summer.
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Weaknesses
So often a strength of theirs, the Durham bowling could turn out to be their weakness this summer. They are going to see next to nothing of Mark Wood with his injury record and that is likely to see England protect Brydon Carse and Matthew Potts much more while Ben Stokes isn’t expected to play for Durham in the opening part of the campaign either. Neil Wagner is a good addition for the second half of the season if he can stay fit.
Trophy Prospects
If Durham can keep their bowlers fit and England allow the likes of Matthew Potts to be available more than expected then there is nothing to suggest that Durham can’t launch a challenge to Surrey in the County Championship. Often Championship games are won with the ball but Durham can put time into the game with the rate that they score their runs. All of that batting depth should see them as leading players in the Metro Bank One Day Cup as well.
England Duty
Here is the big question. Durham will be resigned to seeing little to nothing of Ben Stokes and Mark Wood this season while Brydon Carse and Matthew Potts will miss much of the summer too. The Riverside outfit will be keeping their fingers crossed that Ollie Robinson isn’t part of what will surely be a transitional summer for the 50 over team while Alex Lees will be hoping that his England career isn’t completely over too.
Predicted Championship Finishing Position: 5th
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