Durham are looking to start the T20 Blast with back-to-back victories, taking on Lancashire Lightning in the Club’s first double header at Banks Homes Riverside.
Ryan Campbell has named an unchanged squad of 14 from yesterday’s three-wicket victory over The Bears at Edgbaston.
Durham welcome a Lancashire side that have started their T20 campaign with consecutive wins over Worcestershire Rapids and Notts Outlaws.
Despite missing out at Edgbaston James Minto, Bas de Leede and George Drissell remain in the squad and are in contention to feature against the Lightning.
Words from Ryan Campbell
We’re absolutely thrilled. The Bears have got one of the most imposing home records of all over the last few years so it’s a great way to start. There were so many pleasing aspects to it.
We started brilliantly and to have them four for three put a lot of pressure on them. Foulkes swung the ball and was very impressive and Parkinson up front did a great job as well. Parky wants to lead our attack and set the tone and he did that wonderfully today and I’m so pleased for him.
Then what Graham Clark did in the second over of our innings really took the pressure off everyone. That’s what Graham does, he takes away the stress. You know if he bats for six overs you’re going to be in a good position.
I’m really pleased for him and also for Ollie Robinson who has had his ups and downs in T20 cricket. We want him to bat at four, its a really comfortable position for him, and he batted really calmly and well today.”
It’s a pleasing way to start. Yes, we’re not at our 100% best, of course we’re not, but it’s great to win early because to start poorly and try to catch up is tough.
Squad v Lancashire Lightning (1 June)
Colin Ackermann, Kasey Aldridge, Graham Clark, Bas de Leede, George Drissell, Zak Foulkes, Alex Lees*, James Minto, Jimmy Neesham, Callum Parkinson, Ben Raine, Will Rhodes, Ollie Robinson, Nathan Sowter
Opposition Corner
Captain: Keaton Jennings
Overseas players: Chris Green (Australia, all group stage), Ashton Turner (Australia, all group stage)
Finals Day appearances: Nine (2004, 2005, 2007, 2011, 2014, 2015, 2018, 2020, 2022).
Titles: One (2015)
2024 finish: Quarter-finals
2024 leading runscorer: Keaton Jennings (278)
2024 leading wicket taker: Chris Green (14)
Key winter moves: Former Blast-winning captain Steven Croft called time on his 250-game T20 career last September to join the coaching staff full-time, but Lancashire’s overseas recruitment has replaced that experience in the form of Australian all-rounders Chris Green and Ashton Turner. Green impressed last season and has signed a new two-year Blast deal. Dynamic Scotland batter Michael Jones has joined from Durham.
The big question: Will a change in format help Lancashire build momentum after a difficult start in the Rothesay County Championship? Midway through this month, the Red Rose dropped to the foot of Division Two, and Keaton Jennings stepped down as club captain. However, freeing themselves up in the Blast may well aid their promotion bid during the second half of the summer. Jennings remains in charge in the Blast.
Wildcard watch: Sir James Anderson. The England fast-bowling legend will be 43-years-old by the time The Hundred starts in August, but he has made himself available for the Blast because he’s keen to have another crack at T20 cricket, which he hasn’t played since 2014. If he has success for the Lightning, surely teams will be clamouring for his signature.
Final thought: No county has won more T20 matches than Lancashire since the start of the Blast in 2003. The Lightning have won 150 of the 260 matches they have played, and they are particularly strong at home. But they will be hoping to change the key statistic, titles won – 1. There would be no better way than to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of their only triumph, victory in the 2015 final against Northamptonshire at Edgbaston, than adding to that number.
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 Durham’s YouTube channel. Durham Cricket will have full coverage on social media, with a full match report at the close.