Durham welcome Sussex Sharks to Banks Homes Riverside under the lights tomorrow, looking to start the Metro Bank One Day Cup with back-to-back wins [1:30pm].
Ryan Campbell has named a 14-player squad as Emilio Gay returns to the fold after missing out on the trip to Derby with a wrist concern – his first appearance in a Durham squad since mid-May, having been a part of England’s Test series against New Zealand throughout June.
Scott Borthwick drops out of an otherwise unchanged group with Durham looking to back up Tuesday’s five-wicket victory over Derbyshire Falcons, led by an unbeaten 108 from Ben Stokes.
Stokes is in contention to make his 50-over return to Chester-le-Street, having not featured at home in the format since scoring 164 – the Club’s record List A score, in the One Day Cup semi-final victory over Nottinghamshire in 2014.
Sussex started their campaign with a 12-run defeat to Glamorgan at Neath, falling short in their chase of 296. Fynn Hudson-Prentice claimed a five-wicket haul and added 63 with the bat while Jack Carson (81) and Tom Price (55) also scored half-centuries.
The Sharks will be without six players to The Hundred with James Coles, Tymal Mills, Jofra Archer, Tom Alsop, Danny Briggs and Henry Crocombe all on franchise duty.
Words from Luke Robinson
(On Ben Stokes’s 108 not out) A man who can do what Ben Stokes did against Derbyshire, it’s unbelievable. He just provides a calmness and he’s got this aura about him, he’s done all these things and now he’s in the squad with us so it’s amazing to have him.
It was incredible, we’re not surprised because we know he can do it but they had men in trying to run him out, he was double leg cramping, and still managing to hit sixes and fours and still running. It’s unbelievable.
(On career best returns of 3/44) You’re always chuffed to go out there and take wickets. Obviously I haven’t played in this competition in quite a while now so to be able to come back and lead the attack the way I did was really pleasing for me. I am just glad that all the lads worked hard together and we got that win to start the competition.
I can’t wait to get back in front of our home fans against Sussex tomorrow. Obviously, we’ll need their support at home. Hopefully we can take it in our stride and get another win on the board.
Opposition Corner
Captain: Jack Carson
2025 Position: 5th (Group B)
2025 Most Runs: Tom Clark (339)
2025 Most Wickets: Henry Crocombe (11)
Why they can win the competition: If what will be a predominantly young squad follow the lead of new skipper Jack Carson and experienced players perform, like as Tom Haines and Tom Clark – who should return after a spell out with a knee injury – Sussex could get on a roll to the final.
Player to watch: Charlie Tear is an emerging keeper-batter who has international experience with Scotland and scored 159 in this competition against Northants last season. The 22-year-old played in the second half of the Vitality T20 Blast and shaped up well.
Young gun: Nantes Oosthuizen is a 20-year-old right-arm medium-fast bowler developed under former Sussex captain Chris Adams at Seaford College. Bowling coach James Kirtley describes him as “raw, but with huge potential who can bowl deliveries that can get anyone out”.
Final thought: With no overseas, several players at The Hundred and a new captain Sussex will consider getting to the knockout stages as progress having added three players from their Academy – right-armer Ollie Kirtley (son of James), all-rounder Freddie Price and left-armer Toby Munt – to their squad.
Match Centre
The Club’s match centre will be in operation for the fixture with live scorecards, statistics & video highlights as they happen. You can watch the game live via Durham’s match centre and the Durham Cricket YouTube channel.