Ground: Seat Unique Riverside, Chester-le-Street
Captain: Scott Borthwick (CC), Alex Lees (ODC/T20)
2023 results: CC2: Winners; ODC: 5/9 Group B; T20: 7/9 North Group
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Such was the quality and verve of Durham’s four-day cricket in 2023 that they roll into Division One this summer with some talk of a tilt at the title. Expectations have soared since Australian coach Ryan Campbell took over following a low-key 2022 campaign, with the promise of “an attacking, no-fear style of cricket” – and his players delivered. Durham dominated Division Two, finishing 66 points clear at the top. It was their first season in many without Chris Rushworth, but Ben Raine and Matthew Potts filled the hole with 114 wickets between them, Potts playing 11 red-ball matches after being overlooked for the Ashes (Durham may not be so lucky this year). Dutch signing Bas de Leede, a spiky allrounder, was an instant hit, as was keeper/batter Ollie Robinson, whose blistering form across all formats after signing from Kent shot him into England contention, while Alex Lees’ response to losing his Test place was five hundreds and 1,347 runs in all. Throw in the double swoop on Leicestershire for Colin Ackermann and the canny left-arm spinner Callum Parkinson, plus the arrival of Aussie wickets-machine Scott Boland until July, and talk of a fourth Championship title does not look so far-fetched.
THE VIEW FROM THE COMMENTARY BOX MARTIN EMMERSON, BBC RADIO NEWCASTLE
It’s my 25th season covering Durham for BBC Radio Newcastle and they are back in Division One after a few years in the wilderness, so from that point of view I am really looking forward to it.
Durham played attractive, attacking cricket in the County Championship last season. Although they lost a tight one in their opening game at Hove, it remained their only defeat. They cruised to promotion and won the league by a massive 66 points. Had it not been for the awful weather they would have gone up well before promotion was eventually guaranteed at Worcester in the penultimate game.
They appear to have a squad to hold their own in Division One after five years in Division Two. Years which followed their relegation by the ECB over financial issues. I say five years, because Covid messed around with two of the years.
You couldn’t go too far wrong in suggesting opener Alex Lees will be top run-scorer. He finished 2023 with 1,347 runs in the Championship, well ahead of anyone else in the division.
TWO TO LOOK OUT FOR
Wicketkeeper batsman Ollie Robinson looked the part last season on his arrival from Kent. Not only was he good with the bat, he was excellent behind the stumps.
BBC SPORT
