After a week off from red ball cricket Durham return to Vitality County Championship action tomorrow when they travel to Southampton to face Hampshire.
Following a washout against tomorrow’s opponents in round one, Campbell’s side head to the Utlita Bowl on the back of a draw against Essex in Chester le Street.
Campbell has named one change to the 14 listed against Essex, with Daniel Hogg being omitted, to an otherwise unchanged 13-man squad.
Peter Siddle is in contention to make his Durham first-class debut tomorrow, having missed out against Essex in order to get his work load up to pace ahead of a busy red ball schedule.
Hampshire have started the season with three draws and one defeat and sit second bottom in the Division One table with 31 points, while Durham are mid table sitting in 5th spot on 50 points.
Words from Ryan Campbell
To be honest, it was a little bit disappointing the draw over Essex. I thought we batted with great intent on day one and set the tone of how we wanted to go about it.
But hats off to Essex, they played very well on day two but if a few things had gone our way in that morning session, things could have been a little different. But Essex batted well, and we walk away, not having been at our best, but still with the draw intact.
The form of Ackermann and Robinson and then Callum Parkinson taking five wickets are good signs for us. I think our blokes showed that we belong in this division.
We have a week off ahead of the Hampshire game, we will look to do some white ball prep, rest, then have a couple of days back to red ball, before we make the trip to Southampton feeling refreshed and set to go. The games continue to come around fast – but is exciting and we can’t wait to go again.
Squad v Hampshire (10-13 May)
Colin Ackerman, David Bedingham, Scott Borthwick*, Brydon Carse, Graham Clark, Paul Coughlin, Michael Jones, Alex Lees (vc), Callum Parkinson, Matthew Potts, Ben Raine, Ollie Robinson+, Peter Siddle
Opposition Corner
Captain: James Vince
Head Coach: Adi Birrell
2023 finish: Third (Division One)
2023 highest run-scorer: James Vince (1,007)
2023 highest wicket-taker: Mohammad Abbas (53)
Key winter moves: Ali Orr has moved down the coast from Sussex to improve the top-order batting. Aneurin Donald is the only major departure, although Scott Currie and Mason Crane are spending season loans away from the newly-rebranded Utilita Bowl.
The big question: As it has been the same for the past couple of years – can Hampshire finally end their title drought? This will be the 52nd season since they last won the Championship, and with the likes of Kyle Abbott and Keith Barker into their twilight years, this could be the last dance for this highly-talented era.
Player most likely to Baz-Ball: John Turner – England liked what they’ve seen in 31 professional matches so much that they have already given him a Development Contract. Very quick, very accurate and very much likely to skittle batting line-ups this season.
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 Hampshire YouTube channel. Durham Cricket will have full coverage on social media, with a full match report at the close.