“It is always difficult to summarise the Second XI season in terms of success as the team has more objectives to fulfil than merely results on the field. Allowing senior players to maintain or regain form and providing opportunities for younger players to develop into the future First team match winners are the priorities. That said, it is always advantageous if this can be achieved in a winning environment.
“Purely in terms of results, this season can best be described as moderate. The team finished second in the North Group of the Second XI Championship, winning four and drawing four of the nine games. There were also wins against Surrey, Sussex and a combined Kent/Essex side in friendly matches. Surrey went on to compete in the final of the competition against Warwickshire who we had comfortably beaten also earlier in the season.
“In one day cricket the team was a little less consistent, failing to reach the semi-final of the Second XI Trophy. Five wins out of nine games was not enough to progress in the tournament. More encouraging were the performances in T20 cricket. Although all games played were friendly fixtures it was still an excellent effort to win all six.
“As mentioned earlier, the results do not tell the whole story and the progression of individual players is more significant. Karl Turner deserves a mention for his three and four day performances with the bat. His tally of over 1200 runs earned him the Second XI Player of the Year award at the end of season dinner. No Durham player has ever reached 1000 runs in a Second XI season previously and Karl’s consistency throughout the year showed progression in his game. Mike Richardson also scored over 1000 runs in all forms of the game which was an excellent return in his first full season with the club. In addition he showed great skill in getting the team home in one-day run chases.
“Injuries to bowlers was a theme right through the squad this season but this did allow younger bowlers more opportunities. Mark Wood and Jamie Harrison were the two who took most advantage of these chances before injury also accounted for them. The leading wicket taker in the longer games was Scott Borthwick with 24 wickets which was a creditable return in only a few appearances. The bowling attack was never a settled unit but many players did get their first exposure at this level and will hopefully finish the season with a greater appreciation of what is required if they want to progress.
“Despite the results of the team not being as strong as I would have liked I am optimistic that I will be able to look back on the 2010 season as being significant in the development of future Durham first team players. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Richie Hilton, our scorer, and Susan Coates, our overworked physio. Theirr efforts are appreciated by everyone involved with the team.”
Durham CCC Second XI scorecards can be found online at http://cricketarchive.com/Durham/Seasons/Season_Summary_2010_2nd.html