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25
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The number six has become near synonymous with
cricket, and no other value was more significant in
Durham’s 2012 County Championship campaign.
Finishing last season only six points behind
Nottinghamshire in sixth place, Durham will be keen to
raise their game going into the 2013 fixtures. They will
be boosted by positive news following veteran Paul
Collingwood’s thumb surgery, the batsman set to
return in time for the start of this summer’s
championship.
The side is yet to confirm any overseas additions for
the coming season but have had quality in the past in
South African Herschelle Gibbs. They have, however,
recorded two notable losses. Influential all-rounder Ian
Blackwell has had his contract terminated after failing
to recover from a recurring shoulder injury, even after
lifting last year’s trophy with Warwickshire. Former
England bowler Liam Plunkett has moved south to
Yorkshire after finding opportunities difficult to find at
the Riverside Ground.
Ins: None
Outs: Michael Di Venuto (RET), Liam Plunkett
(Yorkshire), Ian Blackwell (RET)
One to watch: Young batsman Keaton Jennings
finished the season strongly and from an opening posi-
tion scored 70 against Lancashire.
Fixture date vs Notts: April 29th – March 2nd (home)
17th – 20th September (away)
Title odds: 13/2
Success chances: Financial pressures have forced the
biggest salary bill in county cricket to be cropped. Time
for consolidation.
Runners-up in Division 2 last year, Yorkshire will be
one of the favourites to go straight back down.
However, with the acquisition of Jack Brooks and Liam
Plunkett to complement the reliability of Ryan
Sidebottom, Yorkshire have every reason to be
optimistic about the upcoming season.
The batting has been weakened with the retirement of
Anthony McGrath and the recent rise of Joe Root could
deprive them of one of their prized assets for most of
the summer. A lot of faith and pressure will be put on
the shoulders of captain Andrew Gale who has decided
to pay his own way to join Jack Brooks and five
members of the academy in Colombo instead of having
a week off.
However, first division attacks will look to exploit the
fragility of the line-up which could lead to a tough year
for the White Rose. One objective they will be striving
to achieve is not to suffer the same fate as their nearest
rivals did last year.
Ins: Andrew Hodd (Sussex), Jack Brooks (Northants),
and Liam Plunkett (Durham)
Outs: Gerard Brophy (REL), Ajmal Shahzad
(Nottinghamshire), Oliver Hannon-Dalby
(Warwickshire), Anthony McGrath (RET)
Fixture dates Vs Nottinghamshire: 5-8 June at
Scarborough and 21-24 August at Trent Bridge
One to Watch: Moin Ashraf: With Hannon-Dalby
leaving it gives Ashraf the chance to press his claim for
a regular first-team spot. An influential one-day bowler
due to his variations and yorkers, he also bowls at a
good pace and in the right areas. The acquisition of
Jack Brooks and Liam Plunkett could see chances
limited but don’t be surprised if he keeps one of them
out of the team on more than one occasion.
County Championship Odds: 10/1
Chance of Success: May struggle unless their
batsmen surprise.
MICK NEWELL
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The Oppos i t ion