By Niall Hickman
Durham squad v Somerset: Mustard, Jennings, MacLeod, Tattersall, Poynter, Stobbo, Harvey, Budge, Randawha, McCarthy, Main, Harding.
Durham Second XI coach Alastair Maiden is full of confidence on the eve of his side’s SET Cup semi-final against Somerset on Friday.
Maiden’s team have been in outstanding form this season and even without three of their leading players he is hoping Durham can make the SET Cup final.
Adam Hickey and Jack Burnham are on England duty with the Under-19s one-day squad, while James Weighell received his first call-up to Jon Lewis’ seniors for the home LV County Championship match against Middlesex.
But even without a trio of his players, Maiden is sure his team will provide a stern test to Somerset at Taunton Vale CC – with the prize at stake a place in the final.
Maiden told www.durhamccc.co.uk “We don’t know too much about Somerset as they don’t play many games against us but as a county they have a very strong tradition of producing good, quality players, so we know straight away they are going to be a big challenge for us.
“There is so much to play for. The players are determined to get into the final and we will be doing all we can to get there. We have had a really good season so far in the league and cups so another win would be the perfect way to end the campaign.”
Maiden’s team will be skippered by Keaton Jennings, who is joined by regular first-teamers Phil Mustard and Calum MacLeod.
The final will be played at a venue yet to be decided and www.durhamccc.co.uk will be covering the semi-final, plus reaction to the result.