Durham CCC | Match Preview - 25/06/2023

Leicestershire make a welcome return to red-ball action on the back of a stuttering T20 season. Table-topping Durham the visitors to Uptonsteel County Ground this week.

The Foxes completed a stunning chase against Gloucestershire in their last Championship fixture, chasing 221 in the final session and a half thanks to Rehan Ahmed’s 71 and Colin Ackermann’s 78 not out.

Durham couldn’t quite force a win over Glamorgan, despite piling on a whopping 630 in their first innings. David Bedingham and Ollie Robinson each made centuries, but the home attack, who took 17 wickets in the match, couldn’t dismiss the visitors for a second time.

Last Time We Met:

Durham emerged triumphant in the previous meeting between the two in red-ball cricket. September 2022’s fixture at Grace Road was notable for Matt Potts’ incredible bowling effort “ claiming 13 wickets in the match.

Sol Budinger impressed on his Leicestershire debut, hitting 64 in the first innings, while Louis Kimber put on a solid 75 in the second as the Foxes were dismissed for 198.

Fox to Watch:

Budinger could yet be the one to keep an eye on again. Taken away from T20 duties last week, the destructive opener scored 95 during the Seconds’ SEC victory over Kent.

What’s more impressive is the left-hander had accrued 95 of the 137 on the board when he fell “ laying the platform for opening partner Sam Evans to make an equally crucial century.

Budinger is still waiting for that big score this term, scoring 324 runs at 24.92. There’s every confidence in the Foxes camp that it’s just around the corner.

Opposition Player to Watch:

Michael Jones is another opener to watch closely. The 25-year-old has 437 runs at 43.7 so far this term in a Durham lineup that hasn’t been short of runs.

The Scotland international, who averages 37.4 in first-class cricket, has formed an impressive opening partnership with Alex Lees, including a stand of 119 on his way to a season-best score of 121 not out during Durham’s last away trip.

Squad:

There are three changes to the squad from the win in Bristol. Wiaan Mulder returns to the fold, while Sam Evans and Roman Walker enter the 13 after impressing in the Second XI this week.

Rehan Ahmed has joined up with England ahead of their second Ashes Test at Lord’s, while Louis Kimber and Josh Hull miss out through injury.

Leicestershire: Ackermann, Barnes, Budinger, Evans, Handscomb+, Hill*, Mulder, Parkinson, Patel, Salisbury, Scriven, Walker, Wright.