Michael Lewis included in squad for Worcs

By Jon Steer
April 19 2005

Michael Lewis has been included in the squad to face Worcestershire for Durham's first home game of the season. Lewis' addition is the only change from the squad that beat Leicestershire by an innings and 200 runs last week.

Martin Moxon has stressed that continuity in the Durham squad is viatlly important, especially after such a good opening match last week. He announced today that Michael Lewis will make up the thirteen man squad for tomorrows game in addition the the twelve that were named for the Leicestershire game.

At Grace Road it was Graham Onions that missed out on a game, and it seems very likely that he will miss out again. The only decision that is likely to make any difference to the eleven that played last week must be whether or not to stick with spinner Gareth Breese or to play another seamer and go for Lewis.

Breese is a difficult man to leave out though and has provided some very useful performances with the bat even when his bowling hasn't produced results. The added variation of a full time spinner is also a benefit that is hard to be without even in conditions that don't lead to large amounts of turn.

Worcestershire will showcase Sri Lankan star Chaminda Vaas who will play for the county until Shoaib Akhtar arrives later in the season. Vaas has a great test record and is currently only a couple of places behing Harmison in the test ratings.

Hick and Solanki provide batting strength for Worcestershire in what will be a tough first home game but with our best players all available and confidence running high there should be plenty of optimism in the Durham camp.

Durham (from): M Hussey (capt), J Lewis, P Collingwood, G Muchall, D Benkenstein, N Peng, G Breese, P Mustard (wkt), L Plunkett, M Davies, S Harmison, G Onions, M Lewis.

Worcestershire: S Peters, S Moore, G Hick, B Smith, V Solanki (capt), G Batty, J Pipe (wkt), C Vaas, M Mason, D Wigley, A Sheriyar.