Durham vs Lancashire, Friends Provident Trophy

[Ernest]

Originally Posted by pie_chucker

.Even though he's getting on a bit I would rather he went to the world cup than either Mahmood or Lewis.

I agree - Mahmood is a good prospect, but as yet is not the finished article.Lewis I am afraid does not have enough pace to worry top class batsmen.

Even now Chapple would not let England down, he gives 100%, and has opened for Lanc's as a pinch hitter (surprised Fletcher never cottened on to that).

[darksideofthemoon]

Plunkett's first wicket was a wide long hop and he bowled one down the leg side but every other ball was spot on. The best I have seen him bowl in England. Of course when batsmen are under pressure it is easier to bowl well. He came on 4th change. I was surprised he didn't open the bowling. Harmison was very fast and had bounce.

Our bowlers faced attacking batsmen and they didn't care who was bowling including Flintoff who got bashed at one stage. Their opening bowlers, Killeen and Onions also went for runs but Harmison brought control and pressure that never eased until the end.

Lancashire are terrible at chasing excluding Hodge. Lancs remind me of England with a captain that can't get runs and shouldn't be playing one day cricket and the batting relying on one player to get all the runs Vaughan/Chilton, Pietersen/Hodge.

[cantplaycantalk]

Durham are developing into a very strong side, the loss of potentially 3 players to England will weaken things somewhat but Plunkett and Harmison can be replaced by Otis Gibson and Mark Davies who are both top quality. Colly is more difficult to replace but as the Lancs game showed support for Colly came from Coetzer one of the fringe players who forced his way into the team with runs vs Durham university and Gary Park the reserve keeper, who is also a quality batsman. Nothing much from De-Venuto, Benkenstein or Mustard who are the batsmen who Durham normally expect to deliver.

[darksideofthemoon]

I can't believe Durham didn't want to go for the win.