posted Sep 17, 2008

And lets be honest, the close season is 7 MONTHS long, theres plenty of time to discuss it

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posted Sep 17, 2008

Maybe Benks has brought this up in order to motivate the players. He was critical of the way the team performed in the last 2 sessions against Somerset so maybe he thinks the best way to make sure they are fully focused is to threaten to resign as captain! The possibility that he might not be leading the team next year might scare them and ensure they do everything possible to make sure he stays on.

One other reason for not having an inexperienced captain at this club is because the team have a habit of making things difficult-the constant batting collapses and erratic bowling from the likes of Plunkett must make the captains job hard. Benkenstein has loads of experience and is a brilliant player, a few low scores won't concern him because he has total faith in his ability as a batsman.
Steve Harmison won't be playing much next season and that is another thing to consider-Harmy has been brilliant but the other bowlers can be inconsistent so is it not better to have an experienced captain in charge for at least one more season?

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posted Sep 17, 2008

you could be right Capt, however it could then work against him. If the players think that he is standing down, they might think why bother then, he hasn't got the faith in us, so why should we apply ourselves

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posted Sep 18, 2008

If Benks is determined to hand over the captaincy at the end of the season then he has two simple(tasks remaining-win the Championship and-if the Lancashire rumours are true-persuade Breese to stay with Durham.

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posted Sep 18, 2008

I would still use the captaincy as the carrot to lure Ed Joyce up here next season.

He would be a first class aquisition for the county, IMO

Perhaps Martin can pursue this and find out if Joyce has plans to leave Middlesex and whether Durham would be interested?

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posted Sep 18, 2008

Footman, It might be interesting,

Joyce opening with Diva and then Smith Shiv (depending on when he arrives) Muchall, Brown Benks Mustard, Thorp,Onions and Davies

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posted Sep 18, 2008

Muchall... or Chester??

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posted Sep 18, 2008

I've played cricket with Chester, He can't really bat and tends to fall down a lot when fielding and bowling

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posted Sep 18, 2008

I've just noticed..

You still want Ali Brown from Surrey?

Will he be bringing his own zimmer frame?

I'm not sure that the 45M will stretch to zimmer frames, motorised wheelchairs, ramps up to the dressing room or the hoist above the ice bath

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posted Sep 18, 2008

Well you know, we've all been aware of Durhams shortcomings with the bat. Brown may just shore that up for a season or two

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