Celebrations fall flat for Durham (6 July 1997)

Sunday 6 July 1997

Celebrations fall flat for Durham

DURHAM`S sense of optimism following their first championship win in almost two years last week was well and truly dampened yester- day when the fourth successive day was washed out at Chester-le-Street.

With the first three days lost to rain, Durham and Kent hoped they might salvage a one-innings game yesterday. Despite prolonged sunshine, however, the sodden outfield made play impossible.

David Boon, the Durham captain, said: "It`s very frustrating. It would have been nice to get on a roll after our win against Kent but we have no game again next week.

"The groundsman has worked his socks off for four days but every time he has got it almost playable the weather has intervened."

There is a sophisticated drainage system at the Riverside Ground but the close proximity of the River Wear has meant that the water table has remained so high that the dampness in the outfield could not escape.

It is the first time since Durham became a first-class county in 1992 that they have had a County Championship match completely washed out and only the second four-day game ever to have suffered the fate. The first was Leicestershire`s proposed game with Warwickshire at Grace Road last week.

The sunshine has improved prospects for today`s Sunday league match, for which Durham have added all-rounder Paul Collingwood to their squad.

Aamir Sohail has been included in a Pakistan squad for the first time since his ban over match-fixing allegations was lifted in May.

The opening batsman has been chosen in a 14-man party for the Asia Cup in Sri Lanka, which is due to start on July 14.

Sohail was banned for two years in April for accusing fellow players of involvement in betting and match-rigging. The punishment was lifted in May after Sohail submitted an unconditional apology.

Pakistan will be without five players who have county commitments in England - Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Mushtaq Ahmed, Ejaz Ahmed and Mohammad Akram - but off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq, who is playing for Surrey, will join the team in Sri Lanka.

Source :: The Electronic Telegraph (https://www.telegraph.co.uk/)