Clydesdale Bank 40 – Group C
Leicestershire Foxes (3rd) v Durham Dynamos (2nd)
Monday 3rd May 2010 – 1345hrs
Bank Holiday Monday brings another round of Clydesdale Bank 40 matches, with my attention turning to Grace Road where Leicestershire play host to visitors Durham in Group C.
Both sides have got off to reasonable starts with a win under each team’s belt, with Durham perhaps slightly edging the odds for this one.
Leicestershire started their CB40 campaign with a comfortable 47 run win against local rivals Nottinghamshire, with the visitors captain Chris Read winning the toss and putting Leicestershire in – a decision he probably regretted 40 overs later as the home side rattled up a formidable 282-6 off their allotted overs. Openers Will Jefferson (55) and Jacques du Toit (141) set up the winning total that day, with the evergreen Matthew Hoggard claiming 2-43 and Wayne White grabbing a personal best 6-29 ensuring Notts fell short with 235.
In the batting department for Leicestershire, the dangermen are the openers Jefferson and du Toit, along with James Taylor (92* v Warwickshire yesterday), with useful contributions from keeper Paul Nixon (37 v Notts, 40 v Warks). Setting totals may not be the issue with Leicester in the CB40, but I wonder about the potency in the bowling department.
Skipper Matthew Hoggard is still a canny operator and with conditions on his side is still a force in county cricket; bowling first-change he’s taken 2-43 v Notts and 1-44 opening up v Warks. Young bowler Nathan Buck has been receiving rave reviews and he can cause some problems too – he didn’t play against Notts but got 2-65 v Warks and can be a little expensive. Wayne White is also finding his feet after mixed returns (6-29 & 1-86).
Today’s visitors Durham thumped Hampshire in their opening fixture, winning by a massive 149 run margin, a rare feat in 40 over cricket. They amassed 264-6 off their 40 overs and then skittled Hampshire out for a measly 115. Their second match (v Kent) was abandoned without a ball bowled.
The batsmen to watch out for, for Durham are all-rounder Ian Blackwell (finished 15th in MVP rankings for last years 40 over comp), keeper/opening bat Phil Mustard (74 v Hants) & South African Dale Benkenstein.
As for the bowlers, right-arm medium pacer Will Gidman takes a few wickets, while slow-left arm Ian Blackwell contains and takes wickets in the middle part of an innings. Liam Plunkett is still dangerous, while Durham will be keen to welcome back paceman Neil Killeen when he’s fit.
Durham however, will be without Benkenstein (knee) & Plunkett (side), so seamer Luke Evans returns from his loan spell at Northants (1-24 & 3-53 v Glos), along with Kyle Coetzer.
I feel that Leicester are a little weak & inexperienced in the bowling department, and this may well be the difference between the two sides this afternoon.
Pick: Durham Dynamos @ 1.76 with Betfair
