Having failed to win any of their opening three games of the Rothesay County Championship season, Durham opened their account for the season in a dramatic game at New Road that saw 40 wickets fall over the course of two-action packed days.
The extra two days’ rest have given some of Durham’s injured players a better opportunity of recovering for this morning’s trip to the Utilita Bowl.
Their opponents, Hampshire, are a place below Durham in the table, having won one of their opening three games, and Alex Lees is hoping his side will be able to build on last week’s success.
“It’s hard to take for whoever loses a game like that (against Worcestershire),” said the Durham captain. “So, I’m just glad we came out on the right side and hopefully it will kick-start our season.
“It’s a great to have a couple of bonus days off. We’ve got ten injuries in this first block of games, so to have some extra time to recover is amazing.
“To have those extra days means we could get some proper prep in, and the bowlers have (had) time to rest and hopefully be ready for Hampshire.”
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Head coach Ryan Campbell has named a squad of 15 to head down to the south coast, with his selection featuring the return of Callum Parkinson.
Matthew Potts and Brendan Doggett remain in the squad and are in line to return to action, having missed out last week.
Jake Ball and Codi Yusuf are set for their second Durham appearances after impressing in last week’s win, while Jack Blatherwick is also in contention to feature in Southampton with the Lancashire seamer on loan for at least another seven days.
Emilio Gay remains in the squad and could make a return to the side after missing out due to injury at New Road.
David Bedingham continues to be monitored by the Durham’s science and medicine team ahead of his return to action, but the South African batsman remains unavailable for selection at the moment.
Hampshire had a tumultuous off-season with James Vince moving to Dubai and overseas star Mo Abbas also leaving the club. Experienced top-order batter Mark Stoneman has been added to help fill the Vince void, while Sonny Baker joined from Somerset to help bolster the bowling ranks.
