Durham v Essex CC2 Preview

Peng to open?
By Jon Steer
June 8 2005

Durham host Essex starting on Thursday in what has become a top of the table clash. Durham lead Essex by 13 points and have a game in hand. Both teams have players missing through international commitments and injuries.

Durham lose Paul Collingwood to the England squad in addition to Steve Harmison and Mike Hussey who left on international duties last month. Essex lose Darren Gough.

Liam Plunkett is out after bruising a heel in the match against Worcestershire last week. Essex have more injury worries with captain Ronnie Irani suffering from a knee injury. Essex are also without Alex Tudor, Graham Napier and Andy Clarke who are recovering from injury.

Essex will be captained by wicket keeper James Foster, who knows a bit about this part of the country having attended Durham University. Dale Benkenstein will again captain Durham in Hussey's absence.

Gary Scott, Mark Turner and Neil Killeen have been added to the remaining nine players from last week to make up the twelve man squad. Killeen seems certain to play and the indications are that Moxon will go for the extra bowler and play Mark Turner. Phil Mustard would move up the order to seven as a reward for his batting success so far this season.

Nathan Astle was a worry after suffering a blow to the knee last week but has recovered well. It is not yet clear whether he will open against Essex or if Nicky Peng will take the opening role on a more permanant basis. Moxon has said that Peng is keen to take on the role but no decision has been made yet.

The addition of Gary Scott to the squad means that Gary Pratt has been overlooked again. Scott has only made one championship appearance and that was three years ago as a seventeen year old. Gary Pratt did get a run out at the Riverside last week when he appeared as a substitute fielder for England against Bangladesh, whether or not we see him again is anyone's guess...

DURHAM: Dale Benkenstein (capt), Jon Lewis, Nicky Peng, Gordon Muchall, Nathan Astle, Gareth Breese, Phil Mustard (wkt) Ashley Noffke, Mark Turner, Mark Davies, Neil Killeen, Gary Scott.

ESSEX: Will Jefferson, Alastair Cook, Grant Flower, Ravi Bopara, Andy Flower, James Foster (capt & wkt), James Middlebrook, Ryan ten Doeschate, Andre Adams, Nick Thornicroft, Dale Steyn, Mervyn Westfield.