Dickson back in the Middle of the action
SEAN DICKSON is set to return to Durham action for the first time in two months in today’s LV County Championship Division Two clash with Middlesex at Seat Unique Riverside (11am).
The former Kent batsman has been sidelined since sustaining a right hamstring tendon tear against Glamorgan in May.
However, the 30-year-old scored 73 for Felling last weekend in the North East Premier League and, having gone through an extensive rehabilitation period, is set for a return to first-class action.
Dickson’s inclusion is a welcome boost for Durham, whose hopes of gaining promotion to Division One have been hit by a lack of four-day victories.
With only five games left including this one, wins are needed if Durham are to stand any chance of finishing in the top two.
Scott Borthwick’s men are sixth in the Division Two table, 41 points below Middlesex who occupy the second spot.
Seamers Brydon Carse and Matthew Potts are not available for selection due to their involvement in England’s ODI series against South Africa.
However, young wicketkeeper Tom Mackintosh and teenage paceman Stanley McAlindon keep their squad places after impressing against Derbyshire last time out.
Head coach James Franklin hopes his side can take some postives from that game, in which Durham survived a tense finish to earn a share of the spoils, and build momntum against Middlesex.
The Kiwi said: “It ended up being a very nervy last session of the game against Derbyshire but was probably a fair outcome over the four days.
“The pendulum swayed a little bit towards Derbyshire and during the morning session when they made quick runs.
“We had a conversation, if we could set a solid foundation we could potentially go about chasing down those runs.
“Unfortunately we lost those five wickets through the middle session, which put paid to that.
“Then it was a case of getting through that final session and thankfully we did.”
He added: “In that last session we showed some great character and resilience, firstly Liam Trevaskis and Ben Raine.
“Then Tom Mackintosh and Stanley McAlindon – for two young guys to go out there and soak up that pressure showed great character and is promising for their futures.
“I was chuffed for Tom to come in and get a half-century on his firstclass debut.
“He was tidy behind the stumps and took a few good catches.
“It was a debut he can be proud of, and equally Stanley McAlindon.”
Durham will need to keep quiet Middlesex’s prolific opener Sam Robson if they are to triumph.
Since 2008, Robson has notched more than 11,000 runs in first-class cricket.
The 32-year-old has so far posted 640 runs this summer, averaging 45.7 with three centuries.
The right-hander has also been tipped to make an England test return following his debut against Sri Lanka in 2014.