9:47am Friday 20th November 2009
THE growth of Twenty20 cricket means Durham, the LV county champions, will play only one fourday game during a seven-week period at the height of summer next year, writes TIM WELLOCK.
They have to fit in three championship matches before the end of April, but from June 1 to July 20 their only game in the main event is at home to Warwickshire, starting on June 28.
That is preceded by a batch of 11 T20 games and followed by five more either side of a three-day match against New Zealand A at Riverside on July 11-13.
Four-day fans who look for a midsummer trip to one of the more pleasant venues will be disappointed and must opt for either Canterbury on May 17-20 or Taunton on August 24-27.
Durham, bidding to become the first county since Yorkshire in 1966- 68 to do the hat-trick, open their defence at home to newly-promoted Essex on April 15.
It will be the first time they have met in four-day combat since Durham’s promotion season of 2005.
Essex scrambled up this year by pulling off a thrilling run chase in their final match at Derby. They have plenty of free-scoring batsmen, but on the bowling front they relied very heavily on the Pakistani legspinner Danish Kaneria.
The following week Durham are again at home to Hampshire, who are trying to sign the latest Sri Lankan spin wizard Ajantha Mendis. It is doubtful whether international commitments would allow him to arrive in time to play at Riverside.
Durham entertain the same opponents on Sunday, April 25 in the new ECB 40 League, prior to facing Yorkshire at Headingley on April 27-30.
Twenty20 Cup season tickets are now available, offering admission to the eight home games £70 for adults and £25 for juniors.
Full membership offers admission to all home LV County Championship and ECB 40 League fixtures with prices starting at £175 for adults, £150 for seniors and £50 for juniors.
More details are available on 0844 499 4466 or www.durhamccc.co.uk.
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