David Bedingham

David Bedingham made history in the 2024 campaign as he continued his stunning form, becoming Durham’s most significant individual top scorer.

In a campaign where Bedingham passed 1000 County Championship runs for the third time, the South Africa International also inspired Durham to the Vitality Blast quarter-finals, earning a place in the PCA Men’s Team of the Year.

His level in Division One of the Championship was beyond any other batter and by a distance to boot. His 1331 runs were almost 200 ahead of the next-best aggregate and in just 11 of 14 matches, too, coming at a remarkable average of 78.29.

An average strike rate of 78 also set him apart, as did 25 sixes. His numbers are rounded off with a record-gobbling 279 against a moribund Lancashire side, where he became the highest individual scorer in the county’s first-class history, surpassing Martin Love’s 273 against Hampshire in 2003.

His and Colin Ackermann’s 425-run fifth-wicket partnership against Lancashire set a record for any wicket in Durham’s first-class history as the pair eclipsed the previous high of 334*.

Bedingham scored 138 off 99 for his first century of the campaign in Durham’s three-day victory over Worcestershire in Kidderminster. The 31-year-old was fluent, scoring at around a run a ball for long periods. His second fifty required just 24 balls as he raced to three figures off 79 deliveries with five sixes and 11 fours.

Bedingham then began a run of four centuries in consecutive County Championship innings with 144 against Hampshire, reaching a 193-ball century with a caress through the offside.

His twin centuries came in vain against Lancashire in Blackpool, with scores of 101 and 103 not enough to secure a Durham victory at Stanley Park, falling to defeat by 60 runs. The South African recorded his fourth consecutive century with 101 against Somerset.

Bedingham hit a Jack Leach delivery down the ground for six to reach his half-century from 60 balls. Just before close Bedingham reached his fourth consecutive County Championship hundred from 103 balls.

Against the Red Rose, Bedingham reached his sixth Championship century in just 15 innings when he stroked Tom Hartley to long-on for a single. The South African reached three figures off 143 balls with 11 fours and a six, and there had hardly been a moment in his innings when he hadn’t looked in complete control.

He sparked life into Durham’s Vitality Blast campaign as Durham won five of the six matches that the South African played in. He notched two half-centuries at an average of 37.50 and a strike rate above 160, including his T20 best of 78 against Lancashire.

Bedingham made six further Test appearances over the winter as well as representing Sunrisers Eastern Cape in the 2025 SA20.