Metro Bank One Day Cup Preview: Durham v Somerset
THE MATCH
Somerset travel to the Seat Unique Riverside, Chester-le-Street to take on Durham in the Metro Bank One Day Cup tomorrow (Wednesday July 31st).
Tickets for this match are available now:
Play is due to get underway at 11am.
HOW CAN I KEEP UP TO DATE?
You can keep up to date with a live blog via our dedicated Match Centre and also on our X feed.
There will also be a live stream of the game provided by Durham CCC.
In addition to this, a report on the day’s play along with quotes will be posted on this website.
THE OPPOSITION
Captain: Alex Lees
Overseas player: none
2023 finish: Fifth (Group B)
2023 leading run scorer: David Bedingham (413)
2023 leading wicket taker: Liam Trevaskis (12)
Key player: Belligerent opener Alex Lees (403) followed David Bedingham to 400 runs in last year’s competition. With Bedingham on South Africa duty this time, Lees’ importance is clear. Good form from the captain can set the tone for a title challenge similar to the one which saw them beaten in the 2021 final by Glamorgan.
Keep an eye on: Batter Ben McKinney captained England at the Under 19s World Cup at the start of this year and led the County Select XI against the West Indies in early July. The tall left-hander, 19, has first-team experience across all formats, but he’s yet to really break through. This could be the campaign.
Final thought: Durham are missing six Hundred-bound players, including Ben Stokes, and their top run-scorer and wicket-taker from last year are unavailable. Liam Trevaskis has moved to Leicestershire. But they still have some impressive firepower. The likes of Colin Ackermann, Bas de Leede, Michael Jones and Ben Raine will supplement some exciting youngsters.
TEAM NEWS
Charlie Cassell has been added to the squad after signing a short term contract with the Club whilst Joe Heywood has been released to play for Somerset U18s
Somerset have named the following squad for the match: Sean Dickson (c), George Thomas, Andy Umeed, Lewis Goldsworthy, James Rew, Josh Thomas, Archie Vaughan, Kasey Aldridge, Alfie Ogborne, Josh Davey, Ned Leonard, Jack Leach and Charlie Cassell.
VIEW FROM THE DRESSING ROOM
Ahead of the game, Somerset Interim Head Coach, Paul Tweddle said: “We got off to a great start in the competition against Kent and we need to bounce back following Sunday’s result at Hampshire because momentum is key.
“I can’t fault the attitude and commitment of the players, and their application on the field has been exemplary. We know where we lost ground against Hampshire and we will learn from that and take that development into the game against Durham on Wednesday.
“Much like us, Durham will be looking to get back to winning ways, but we need to go out there, play the cricket that I know this group is capable of and prevent them from doing so.”
CLASSIC MATCH
Last year’s match between the two sides took place at Roseworth Terrace, Gosforth.
It was a match that Somerset dominated, winning by six wickets.
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW
You can find out everything that you need to know about attending the game via the Official Durham Website.
NEXT MATCH
Our next match is on Friday when we take on Lancashire in a floodlit Metro Bank One Day Cup fixture. This game will host our annual Berr & Cider Festival.
This match is due to get underway at 2pm.
Tickets are still available.