Battling BJ shines on debut despite chaos
BJ WATLING scored an unbeaten innings of 83 on his home debut to guide Durham to a total of 197-6 on day one of their Specsavers County Championship Division Two clash against Glamorgan at Emirates Riverside.
Watling was composed throughout the day, displaying a solid technique at the crease. He made his half-century in 90 deliveries, while others in the ranks struggled around him, with Alex Lees providing the next highest score of 45.
Michael Hogan was on point with the ball for the visitors, providing a constant threat. The 38-year-old claimed impressive figures of 4-31, but Watling’s stand made it honours even on day one as bad light brought play to a close.
A leak in the covers allowed overnight rain to spill on to the prepared wicket, forcing the action to be delayed and played on the far end of the square at Emirates Riverside. Durham were inserted after an uncontested toss when play eventually began at noon, and lost their first wicket in the third over when Cameron Steel was pinned lbw by Hogan.
Glamorgan notched their second wicket of the day as Lukas Carey found Angus Robson’s edge and Kraigg Brathwaite claimed the catch at second slip. Lees and Watling stemmed the tide until lunch, and the pair put on 50 for the third wicket in 82 balls.
Lees was on the verge of
50, but Hogan removed him lbw on his return to the attack as the left-hander left a delivery that nipped in late. Watling was undeterred and continued on his way to his maiden 50 for Durham. The New Zealander forged a useful stand of 45 with Jack Burnham before a rising delivery from David Lloyd accounted for the latter, who fended to Billy Root at gully.
Glamorgan were able to turn the screw as Sol Bell scored only a single on his first-class debut before he saw his off stump removed by Hogan.
The veteran seamer then dismissed Ned Eckersley lbw for seven to notch his fourth wicket.
Amid the chaos at the other end Watling held firm and was untroubled by the Glamorgan attack, while Ben Raine provided support with resistance in the lower order with a late flurry of runs.
Their late 36 partnership moved the home side towards the 200-run mark before bad light brought a premature end to the contest on day one.
Watling said of his side’s efforts: “It was a reasonable effort by the boys today and we’re quite happy with where we are at, but we’re definitely going to be looking to put a few more runs on the board.
“I wasn’t thinking about knocking off the century today, it’s just about getting as many runs as possible. Ben Raine came out at the end to blunt the flurry of wickets they had in the middle session to put us in a strong position, but there’s work still to be done.
“It’s always a challenge coming over here. These boys definitely
These boys definitely know how to bowl in their own conditions BJ Watling