By Niall Hickman
Durham squad to face Hampshire in the LV County Championship Division One at the Emirates Durham ICG: Collingwood, Stoneman, Borthwick, Burnham, Richardson, Muchall, Pringle, Hastings, Weighell, Harrison, Rushworth, Onions.
Last meeting: July 19-22 2015 at Ageas Bowl: Match drawn
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Durham coach Jon Lewis insists both Mark Stoneman and Scott Borthwick can force their way into the England set-up, but only if they can back up their claims with weight of runs.
Stoneman and Borthwick have both scored heavily this season and are in contention for elevation into the England squad, but Lewis says they have to take the next leap up in order to impress the national selectors.
Both Durham players have three county championship matches left to stake their claims for England’s winter series against Pakistan and South Africa.
Lewis told www.durhamccc.co.uk : “Scott’s consistency over the last three years has been there for all to see, as has Mark’s and both are rightly being talked about in terms of England selection. But both Mark and Scott know that there is a big difference between being very good and exceptional and in order to get into the national squad you have to prove yourself with exceptional numbers. Adam Lyth scored over 1,400 runs last season and Jonny Bairstow hit around 950 runs in seven games in the current campaign. Both were exceptional figures and both got their reward of an England place.
“I don’t think Scott and Mark are very far off and they are both good enough. What they have to do is take the next step up and provide exceptional proof that they are ready.”
In first class cricket this year Borthwick averages just below 40 having scored 1,387 runs, while Stoneman has an average of 33.46 from 937 runs. Both have hit three centuries in 2015.
While both experienced campaigners are hoping to catch the eye of the England selectors between now and the end of the summer, Lewis has also handed places in his Durham squad for the clash against Hampshire to two youngsters, James Weighell and Jack Burnham.
Weighell made his first class debut in the 72-run home defeat to Middlesex a fortnight ago, while Burnham’s came in the loss at Scarborough earlier this month, when he scored a battling half century against the might of Yorkshire’s bowling armoury.
Lewis said: “Both lads deserve to be in the squad on merit, although it is hard on Graham Clark, who has come in and done very well. James bowled pretty tidily against Middlesex and was unfortunate not to get at least a wicket in both innings and of course, he can bat. For James it has been a big jump up from club cricket with Stokesley to the first division of the county championship, but he has adapted very well. As for Jack, he scored a very composed 50 against Yorkshire in difficult circumstances and has done really well playing for England Under-19s.”
Lewis wants to see a strong finish to the end of the campaign and with second place still up for grabs in the county championship, he is determined his side will close out the season on a high. Durham face Hampshire next, before a trip to Trent Bridge, then the season ends with a home four-dayer against Worcestershire.
Lewis said: “We cannot win the league but we can come second, if other fixtures go our way, so that has got to be the ambition. We have three games left, two of which are at home, so we are looking for some wins. Performances have not been that great lately so the players all know they have to improve and get back to winning ways. There is still lots that can be achieved this season. With a really big push we could finish second, which would be a good way to end the campaign. While that is in our grasp we have to aim high and go for it.”