CMJ: Australia damp alert as Durham open extension (20 May 1997)

Tuesday 20 May 1997

Australia damp alert as Durham open extension

Christopher Martin-Jenkins.

A CROWD of about 6,500 is expected at the Riverside Ground at Chester-le-Street this morning - many to watch the Australians; some to watch Kevin Keegan.

Durham County Cricket Club clearly believe he may be forgiven his abrupt departure from Newcastle United because they have invited him to open, half an hour before play, the brand-new building which has brought the Grand Concept two-fifths of the way towards its completion as a Test ground of the future.

This second `module` has cost 2.6 million. With help from the Lottery Sports Fund, the Sports Ground Initiative, the European Regional Development Fund, additional loans and their own marketing activities, Durham are now able to present their loyal members with a handsome new lounge on the first floor, which doubles as a community sports hall. Below them is a new bar and bistro, open all the year, and above them the inevitable corporate hospitality boxes. The quality of all the development here is a model for other grounds, as the Australians will discover when they inspect their dressing-room this morning.

They did without nets yesterday after their four-hour journey from Worcester, as England touring sides would have done in similar circumstances. The weather forecast suggests, however, that they may be in for a rain-interrupted game today against Durham, whose captain, though he be that intense patriot David Boon, would like nothing better than to emulate Tom Moody at Worcester on Sunday and lead his adopted county to a one-day defeat of his country.

The feeling that a wet summer would help the national cause immensely was certainly underlined by events at New Road. England`s most realistic chance of defeating Australia this season will surely be on pitches similar to the one on which Worcestershire inflicted on the touring team their first defeat in their third one-day match in four days.

The five-wicket success was not in itself significant: after all, it will be another three days at least before the Australians will, by normal medical criteria, be completely clear of jet-lag. The manner of their undoing was, however, just possibly ominous for Mark Taylor and his team. If these conditions were to be repeated regularly elsewhere, the influence of Shane Warne would be reduced and that of England`s finger-spinners relatively increased. More to the point, matches would be won by whichever side found seam and swing bowlers to bowl the required length.

Despite the good start made by the strapping Queenslander, Michael Kasprowicz, who is seizing the third seamer spot originally ear-marked for the injured Andy Bichel in the one-day games, England must hope that there are more moist airstreams and dampish surfaces ahead. Their coach, David Lloyd, was content with what he saw at Worcester, although he is wise enough not to read to much into it. Had Mark Taylor won the toss the chances are that Worcestershire would have been beaten, not because conditions altered much on a close and cloudy day, but because it is easier to feel your way towards a comfortable target when there are plenty of overs in hand.

Durham`s chances are limited by a familiar litany of injuries to their band of fast bowlers, which is a pity because, under Boon`s impressive leadership, they are a much improved side. At least John Morris has now found his form and no doubt it will be another of the Riverside`s great occasions today.

The absentees will include Simon Brown, who has an injury at the back of the rib-cage; Melvyn Betts, who still has a bruised heel; John Wood, who has split webbing on a hand and Colin Campbell, who has a suspect back. The promising and speedy Steve Lugsden is still being patiently nursed after a serious back injury but they may be tempted to give him a chance today. They may even be tempted to offer Keegan a game.

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