Cricket

[Eggs]

…..the situation with subs is ridiculous but perhaps evolving. Obviously players will have to be categorised, ‘batters’, ‘bowlers’, ‘all rounders’ etc and you can only swap like for like but (as with football) some teams will have stronger benches than others.

Bottom line is, Shetty played ahead of Hartley yesterday so there shouldn’t be an issue with one replacing the other, especially as both are spinners. I’d expect it’ll become much simpler with time.

The Durham ‘sub’ opening the bowling and getting an early wicket. Lancs 3-1.

 

[Eggs]

….hopefully unfounded, but I fear for Lancs this morning despite that 75 run lead. Just feel momentum is with Durham given those last wicket stands. Hopefully Lancs can get to Lunch with no more than 3 down, would give them a nice lead of 175ish.

….sadly, my concern has been fully justified, Lancs 53-5. Essentially 128-5 at lunch, difficult to see them extending that lead to 200 which probably won’t be enough anyway.

 

[summerisle]

Lancashire 143-6, an on going partnership of 72. Lead by 218. Coughlin, giving it a biff, 41 off 49 balls, Jones 42.

 

[summerisle]

100 partnership up for Lancashire, 172-6, lead by an ever growing 247.

 

[summerisle]

Tea, excellent session for Lancashire : 193-6, lead by 268. Coughlin 60, Jones 68.

 

[Eggs]

…..my word, surprising 122* stand between Coughlin & Jones putting Lancs right back into contention. Magnificent effort. 194-6 at tea, a lead of 269.

 

[summerisle]

End of the partnership, Jones out for 72, Lancashire 203-7, 278 ahead.

 

[Walken]

Good to see Duckett in the runs, Hameed back in form also after a slow start to put his hand up for England

 

[summerisle]

Coughlin opening up now, 78*, 218-7.

 

[summerisle]

Lancashire 251-8, lead by 326, Coughlin still there on 95*.

 

[summerisle]

Lancashire 259-9, Coughlin 99*, on strike though.

 

[summerisle]

Coughlin gets his second 100 of his career, and against his former club as well. Just in time, now off for bad light. That should be it for the day, 260-9, with a very healthy 335 lead.

 

[Eggs]

….lovely moment for Coughlin, 100*.

Lancs in the game 260-9 Dec, a lead of 335.

 

[Eggs]

…..end of play with bad light, wonder if Lancs might be a bit miffed as they could’ve batted on.

 

[PITA]

What might have been : Durham 257-9, last 2 wickets have put on 89, the last 3 wickets 137. They might still win, but it's an annoying trend of not being able to finish of the tail that seems perennial every season.

Meanwhile, the 'substitution ' rule becomes ever more ridiculous :

TBF, Durham will be thinking the same thing tonight.