WE NEED MORE RUNS, LADS!
SUNDERLAND BATSMEN MUST MAKE BIGGER TOTALS TO GIVE THE BOWLERS A CHANCE
Sunderland are looking for big contributions throughout the team as they look to climb the First Division table.
They make no changes for the trip to third-top Willington on Saturday.
Secretary Mike Smith said: “We need to get back to winning ways, after two setbacks in the last two fixtures.
“Individual performances cannot carry the full team, so contributions from all players are needed. The side are usually 50-70 runs short of a good total each week, enough to give the bowlers little to bowl at.”
Willington have Joe Cook unavailable due to university exams but include Jason Marshall, who is now back from South Africa.
Leaders Sacriston travel to Burnopfield. There are two players missing with Jack Keall on holiday and Callum Appleby unavailable.
Will Gidman should play and top order batsman Johnny Bushnell is a debutant at the tender age of 15.
Burnopfield skipper Gareth Breese said: “There is one change with Neil Killeen injured and Jack Self replaces him in the team. The team is performing well and getting used to the higher standards of the Premier league.”
Burnmoor host secondplaced Brandon and include Gareth Harte, who is on Durham’s books. He hails from South Africa, though he has English parents.
Dave Armstrong returns to the second XI to accommodate Harte’s debut.
Bottom club Seaham Harbour welcome Washington.
Cricket manager Stuart Lacey said: “The replacement professional Tamzeel Aftal arrived last Wednesday but was hospitalised on Thursday, with the diagnosis of kidney stones.
“He’s now back in Pakistan for an operation and the club now seeks a second replacement!”
Stuart added: “The week has been disappointing, including an injury to Stewart Pattinson which rules him out. Greg Davidson returns after work commitments and should bolster the bowling ranks.”
Washington skipper Ash Thorpe said: “The team is unchanged even after a poor result last week, hopefully it was just a blip after two good victories prior to that fixture.”
Boldon, in fifth position, welcome sixth-placed Gateshead Fell to Sunderland Road, while Blaydon welcome Mainsforth.
In the Premier Division, Durham Cricket Academy play Eppleton at the Riverside and have Solomon Bell back in for Jack McCarthy, while Haidar Shafiq returns to the team.
Coach John Windows said: “Eppleton have made a good start and have put together a young team and we are looking forward to the game, but it will be tough as always.”
Chester-le-Street travel to second-placed Benwell Hill, whose skipper Kyle Coetzer already has 320 runs to his name this season - averaging 160.
He returns from his international commitments and replaces Pete Halliday who is unavailable.
Coetzer said: “Other than that one change, the team should be the same as last week. All sections of the team are performing well and are much improved from last year. If this commitment continues, there should be no reason why the club should not be challenging for honours, at the business end of the season.”
Hetton Lyons face a tough trip to leaders South North, who have Colin McLeod returning from international duties against Sri Lanka for Scotland.
Marcus North was in top form last weekend making 164 not out, including 28 fours and two sixes.
Stockton take on Whitburn, who bring in Paul Shields. Fourth bottom South Shields entertain bottom club Felling.