Lead High Performance Coach James Franklin has named a group of 17 players for Durham’s pre-season tour of South Africa.
The touring party left Emirates Riverside this morning (Thursday 14 March) for an 11-day stay surrounded by world class facilities at the North West University Sports Village in Potchefstroom.
Building on an intensive training schedule over the last few months, the squad will undertake a number of outdoors net practices alongside three competitive fixtures ahead of the season starting at Derbyshire on Friday 5 April.
The first is a two-day fixture against Yorkshire followed by another two-day match against Nottinghamshire & then a 50-over match versus local opposition the day before departing back for the North East.
And Franklin is looking forward to getting a first look at his squad outdoors after being confined to the indoor nets at Emirates Riverside during his first few weeks in charge.
“We’ve got a huge couple of weeks in terms of our pre-season & getting ready for early April back here so I’m looking forward to seeing the guys get outside,” Franklin said.
“It’s been a long winter for some of them stuck indoors. I’ve come into the environment recently so I haven’t experienced that as much but I do sense from the players they’re very itchy to get outside. It’s a huge two weeks for us.
“Because I’m new to this role, I’m looking to see how guys compete on the field & how they interact with each other in different roles. Performances is only one aspect, it’s how they work together, interact with each other in the changing rooms & training, & away from cricket to see how they work.
“If guys play well, it’s good to see how their character is & equally if they don’t have a good day, how they react there as well. For me, I start to get a gauge of where each individual sits & how they tick.”
A number of the squad will travel back prior to the final 50-over fixture in order to play in Durham’s pre-season fixture against Durham MCCU at Emirates Riverside.
Joining the squad in Potchefstroom will be ex-Leicestershire wicketkeeper-batsman Ned Eckersley. The 29-year-old has been on trial at Emirates Riverside & will continue his quest to earn a deal.
Gareth Harte will join up with the Club on arrival after a spell playing club cricket in his native country, while Stuart Poynter misses the tour owing to international commitments with Ireland. Mark Wood & Ben Stokes are rested following England’s tour to the Caribbean.
The Club’s overseas player, Cameron Bancroft, remains with Western Australia as they conclude their Sheffield Shield campaign.
Squad to tour South Africa
Jack Burnham, Brydon Carse, Graham Clark, Ned Eckersley, Gareth Harte, Alex Lees, Matty Potts, Ryan Pringle, Ben Raine, Michael Richardson, Chris Rushworth, Matt Salisbury, Cameron Steel, Scott Steel, Liam Trevaskis, James Weighell, Ben Whitehead
Fixtures
18-19 March – Two-day match vs Yorkshire
21-22 March – Two-day match vs Nottinghamshire
25 March – 50-over match vs local opposition