When Matthew Potts announced in March last year that Durham were going to Bazball their way through the County Championship, it raised a few amused eyebrows. A draw, he said, was worse than a loss. “You’d rather lose every game this year and know you’re doing it with the right intent.” Yes, very nice dear.
But, it turned out, he was right on the money. Durham galloped to the Division Two title in 2023, thrashing second-placed Worcestershire by 66 points, while collecting more batting points than had been achieved before in the bottom tier, at a rollicking rate, and pinning seven wins to their chests. It was Bazball’s human face – phenomenally successful and with a grin more of grace.
