Marc my words - it will be a run feast!
NORTH RELISHES DURHAM VISIT IN THE ONE-DAY CUP
MARCUS North is expecting a Newcastle runfest as Durham return to South Northumberland today.
Keaton Jennings’ side take on Leicester in the Royal London One-Day Cup at the Gosforth ground - their third visit in four years.
Former Durham and Australia batsman North, now chief executive of South North, has warned fans to expect plenty of runs.
Although Durham have only won one of their opening three games, it has not been for a lack of batting firepower.
The Riversiders have scored at more than a run a ball in this year’s competition - but whereas even when North was still a professional that would wrap up victory, now it does not.
North said: “If you look at a score and see a team has made 350, during most of my career you were pretty much guaranteed to win the game - but you are not surprised now when a team knocks off that sort of score.
“Twenty20 has played a big part in that and there is that confidence now to chase eight, nine, 10 runs an over for an extended period.
“Ours is a smaller ground than the Riverside where you talk about hitting the holes and fours and sixes are necessarily what is going to win you the matches.
“That slightly changes here because the ground is smaller and the pockets are smaller.
“It adds a different dimension but the game has evolved so much players are used to playing in different conditions and they adapted well the last times they have been here to win both games.”
Durham, whose opening match this season was drawn through rain, made 335 at Headingley - but Jonny Bairstow’s magnificent 174 ensured it was nowhere near enough.
The South African-born top three of Jennings, Steven Cook and Michael Richardson have all made centuries this season. North (pictured below) added: “I am really happy to see Keaton Jennings continue his fine form after earning his berth for England.
“Having seen him bat in India and a few times for Durham he is an exceptional talent with a bright future. “To start the season like he has with the responsibility of leading a young side just shows the strength of character he has and I guess where he is at with his game.
“For Cook to come in as an overseas player wanting to play well ahead of the South Africa Test series is great for Durham.
“You always look to your overseas stars to do well.
“Richardson is finding form which is great. Their batting is firing and I think it will be exciting.
“The last two games here have been around that 300 v 300 mark.
“The weather is looking good, the outfield is fantastic and the pitch is very similar to what it has been for the last two years so we expect another high-scoring game.
“If you are making runs and in form there is no better place to be playing than county cricket because you just want to continue that.
“Hopefully, they can entertain and we can get a result for the guys.
“They have played good cricket, even if they were beaten on Wednesday by an exceptional player in Bairstow.”
Paceman Graham Onions is the option if Durham decide against using the spin of 20-year-old George Harding, who made his debut on Wednesday.