SET Final: Durham v Derbyshire at the Emirates Durham ICG on Thursday, August 27th. Start 2pm. Admission is FREE.
For Keaton Jennings, it will be a magical day to remember as he prepares to take Durham Seconds into their SET Cup final on Thursday. (August 27th)
Skipper Jennings is desperate for his side to beat Derbyshire at the Emirates Durham ICG and pick up some silverware from a fantastic season for Alastair Maiden’s second XI.
Jennings cannot wait to lead his team out for the final, following a pulsating victory with just two balls to spare in the semi-final clash last Friday against Somerset in Taunton.
Jennings told www.durhamccc.co.uk “The bowlers did a great job at Somerset and then Phil and I got us up to speed at a decent lick. Phil was brilliant at one end, but when we both got out there was still a lot to do. Dylan Budge and Stuart Poynter then got over 90 runs in less than nine overs to snatch the win. It was a magnificent effort by the lads to get us through to the final and we now want to finish the job and pick up the trophy in front of our own supporters. Having the final at our place, a test ground, makes it extra special and we are determined to win.”
Jennings is convinced Derbyshire will bring a very strong side up to Durham for the final, having won their semi-final at Chesterfield far more comfortably than their rivals.
“There is no doubt Derbyshire will be tough to beat and I am sure there will be a sprinkling of first teamers in their side,” said Jennings. “They must be a decent team to have got through to the final.
“I just hope we play to our strengths and win a trophy for Alastair as it would cap a great season for us. The coaches have done an amazing job and this would really top it all for us perfectly.
“We have to stick to our disciplines in the final. Winning at cricket is a combination of a lot of things, talent, a bit of luck and the ability to think clearly in high pressure situations. That’s what we have to get right in the final. If we do I’m convinced we will win it and if we don’t Derbyshire will get the better of us. It’s that simple.”
Jennings thoroughly enjoys captaincy and it is a job which he has done throughout his cricketing career.
“I was skipper at school, for Gauteng boys and for South African Under-19s, so I have done it before many times and yes, I really do like it. In fact, I’d go so far to say I love it. I like the responsibility of looking after not just myself, but my team.
“I enjoy the extra responsibility of being a captain and I hope to carry on doing it a lot longer.”
“It is a massive challenge to captain any side, but I really do relish it and the final cannot come quickly enough.”
Jennings was head prefect at his school – King Edward VII, in Johannesburg – and it was there that he really began to develop his prowess on the cricket field.
“My father Ray played for Transvaal for 15-odd years between around 1975 and 1990 and of course he was a massive influence on me. Fortunately I used my brains and didn’t follow him in becoming a wicket keeper. My brother obviously didn’t listen because he took up the gloves!
“My dad was played a huge part in my development, as did my school, as it has produced a long list of famous South African cricketers. Unfortunately, we will never know how good my dad would have been at test level because obviously he wasn’t allowed to play it.”
Win or lose, it will be a memorable occasion for Jennings and his side on Thursday.
“It took a lot of hard work to get there so we really want to finish on a high,” he said. “Winning the SET Cup would be a fantastic way to end the season.”