Durham CC that is.

Thank fook for that.

And beat moneybags Surrey into the bargain. The Chelski of cricket.

Good news but you already feel next season will be a real struggle.

With Borthwick and Stoneman jumping ship to moneybags Surrey the batting looks way short of experience and runs, the fact Colly is playing on speaks volumes he really should be in a position were he can bow out now but you can see why he feels he can't. Knowing Durham's luck Jennings will get picked by England as well, as his form this season has been ridiculous. The bowling attack is also injury prone and past it's best.

It's all wrong by the way that two players who have come through the ranks like those two can just be hand picked by another the club and county that gave them a chance and has been integral in how they have developed gets absolutely nothing in return.

I love cricket right. But apart from you two and a handful of others does anyone actually give a shit about county cricket or does anyone actually know who won the league?

More importantly and certainly more interesting is the new idea for twenty 20.

It could be the end for county cricket mind.

It's all wrong by the way that two players who have come through the ranks like those two can just be hand picked by another the club and county that gave them a chance and has been integral in how they have developed gets absolutely nothing in return.

No different, happens in Rugby and Football, you could go along the lines it's a short career so they have to make the best of of it, no loyayallty nowadays.
Let's be honest if a company offered you a substantial pay rise you would jump ship.

I don't.

I follow Durham's games with great interest. I was on edge yesterday following the radio commentary.
If I lived up there I would become a member and attend regularly.
I enjoy good banter with the "Yorkies", as I live among them.
All next week I am in Kent and might get a day in against Hampshire at Southampton.
Love cricket and am a past Chairman of the local Cricket Club.

I listened on the radio all day yesterday and enjoyed it, a game that went back and forth and is decided by half an hour of quality at the end of 4 days. I enjoyed county cricket but tend to only get to one day games because that's all I can get to but I'm considering a membership for next season.

Given that 3 big earners like the Colonel, Stoneman and Borthwick have all gone alone with a few other younger ones and dead wood going the journey as well there should be money to spend. They've said they're going to stick to similar lines on budget but they are going to go out and spend. I think the clubs ambition will be shown, fingers crossed they surprise me.

I follow Durham's fortunes with interest although I've never attended a match. People of my age tend to follow Yorkshires results too as this was the norm before Durham gained first class status. As with footy the lure of making more money down South becomes an obvious draw to many Northern players prior to retirement.
I'm not overly worried though as Durham have an uncanny knack of unearthing good young talent from our many competitive local leagues.
Coincidentally there was a report on the radio yesterday stating that if Great Ayton CC win some all England match today against a team from down South they win an all expenses paid trip to Dubai for their efforts.....good luck to them.