TCP VERDICT
It must be an exciting and encouraging time to be a Durham supporter right now.
There is nothing members and supporters enjoy more than seeing young local players coming through, and anger and disgust at their demotion at the end of last season notwithstanding, it may be Durham fans will look back on this season as being hugely beneficial.
Cameron Steel had to ride his luck at times – he was dropped three times, one of which was a sitter, and should have been run out twice – but the California-born, Australiaraised batsman showed a temperament and appetite for accumulation that will stand him in good stead in first-class cricket.
Sunderland-born 18year-old Matthew Potts swung the ball both ways and got more from the pitch than any of the Leicestershire bowlers had managed.
Tom Latham, meanwhile, showed why the delay in being able to get him into the team has been so frustrating. He will score plenty of runs in the final four championship matches of the season.
Leicestershire’s supporters will be looking forward to the rest of the first-class season with rather less anticipation. Many do not understand the point of bringing in the likes of Ajmal Shahzad, or Arun Harinath with the Foxes seemingly destined to return to what is becoming their customary finish at the bottom of the County Championship.