By Niall Hickman
Durham squad for LV County Championship clash against Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge: Collingwood, Stoneman, Burnham, Borthwick, Richardson, Muchall, Pringle, Harrison, Weighell, Rushworth, Onions, McCarthy.
Last List A match v Notts – August 25, 2015, Royal London One-Day Cup quarter-final. Notts won by 49 runs (D/L method). For full scorecard, click here
Durham coach Jon Lewis has included another new boy to his squad for the trip to the east Midlands this week.
Irishman Barry McCarthy has been performing strongly for Alastair Maiden’s second string and has now received a senior call-up for the away match at Trent Bridge.
Durham will travel to Nottinghamshire for the second time in a fortnight hoping to improve on their current run of form.
Lewis’ side played at Trent Bridge last month only to lose a rain-affected Royal London One-Day Cup quarter-final tie.
Lewis’ side still harbour ambitions of a top four finish in the County Championship, but have not been victorious since a 178-run success over Sussex at Arundel in mid-June.
Lewis has included several youngsters in his squad, with James Weighell and Jack Burnham having made their first class debuts in recent weeks and McCarthy could be in line to receive his first senior bow.
Lewis told www.durhamccc.co.uk: “Barry has enjoyed his best ten days cricket for the second XI recently and he fully deserves a move into the senior squad. It is a great opportunity for him and from what I have seen he has improved a lot in the course of the season. He has got himself in line for consideration through the strength of his performances and those performances have been increasingly impressive. I’m delighted for him. He is a bustling seam bowler, who is a bit quicker and livelier than he looks.”
One omission from Lewis’ squad is all-rounder John Hastings, who has joined up with Australia’s one-day team for the current series against England.
Lewis said: “John was going to have a scan on his back on Monday and we advised Australia that he is carrying an injury. They called him up and are looking to maybe use him towards the back end of the one-day series against England. We are obviously absolutely delighted for John to be selected for Australia and it is richly deserved as he has performed fantastically well for us.”
Durham’s form in recent weeks is of concern to Lewis, who said the players are determined to put in two high class displays in the final weeks of the season.
He said: “We really don’t want the season to just peter out. We have two games left and lots of points to play for. It is vitally important that we put in two strong displays so that we end the championship on a high note. We have not delivered a really good championship performance for a while and it is vital that we do.”
One piece of uplifting news this week has been Paul Collingwood’s decision to sign a new one-year extension to his current deal, meaning he will play for Durham next season.
Lewis said: “First and foremost Paul will want to finish the season in a winning side and make a significant contribution in the last two matches.
“Paul is everything a coach would want from a senior professional. He is an excellent role model to the younger lads, he is still a very fine player and as well as his additional experience and calmness, he also brings his skills to the team. He is an outstanding run scorer, very useful bowler and a brilliant catcher. I’m delighted he is going to be available to play in 2016.”