Tanya Aldred's county report
In a manner most ill-suited to the fearless way in which they have played their cricket throughout 2023, Durham were promoted to Division One with a whimper – and without even picking up a bat. The moment came just before lunch at Hove, as Leicestershire were dismissed for 108 by Sussex, collecting not a single batting point in the process, which left them unable to catch Durham – who now need just five points from their last two games to go up as champions.
Durham strode into the season determined to play attacking cricket, and stuck to their word: winning six games and gathering maximum batting points seven times. “We’re not going to Division One just to survive,” said head coach Ryan Campbell. “We’re going to try to win the thing [title].”
It was apt that on the day of Durham’s promotion for the first time since 2016, the ECB handed out sanctions to Middlesex for financial mismanagement.
By ECB decree, Durham were relegated to Division Two in 2016 because of financial irregularities, despite finishing fourth, and were docked a further 48 points the following year.
This time, the errant club is Middlesex, reprimanded for poor governance and financial mismanagement. The club has agreed to a financial plan, to be overseen quarterly by the ECB, which requires them to bring in a year-on year-profit and limits spending. The ECB will also reduce payments to the club by £150,000 – £100,000 suspended until October 2025 – and impose points penalties equivalent to maximum points for one win in each competition, also suspended till October 2025.
On the pitch, Middlesex had a slightly brighter day, after Sam Robson’s 86 inched them to a first innings 194 at Old Trafford. Lancashire started their innings brightly until Josh De Caires took the ball. At his first Championship outing at his dad’s home ground, he duped Keaton Jennings lbw first ball, before bowling Phil Salt in his next over. When Jayant Yadav bowled Josh Bohannon with a ripper, Lancashire had lost three for 16 before the light closed in.
The lights of the Old Trafford pavilion are shining in the dusk, time for me to go. Back tomorrow, thanks for all your messages, good night!
