Siddle set for debut against former club

DURHAM will be looking for backto-back wins when they take on table-toppers Essex in the Vitality County Championship today.

Following Durham’s opening match of the season on home soil being washed out against Hampshire, Campbell’s side will be hoping the weather improves for round 4 fixtures.

Durham got their first win under their belts last week, when they enjoyed a 185-run win over Worcestershire and now sit fifth in the Division One table, while Essex occupy top spot with two wins from three.

Peter Siddle has now arrived in the North East and is in line to make his Durham first-class debut against his former club. Siddle has joined Durham after Scott Boland was ruled out of his stint at the club with plantar fasciitis.

Brydon Carse returns to the squad having been rested last week by the ECB in order to manage his schedule, while Daniel Hogg remains in the 14, having been included in the squad which travelled to Worcestershire.

Bas de Leede is not considered for selection after picking up a minor knee injury at Kidderminster but is expected to make a full recovery ahead of the Hampshire game starting on Friday May 10.

Durham head coach Ryan Campbell said: “I’d be lying if I didn’t say the first couple of games weren’t disappointing, but to go to Worcestershire and play the ‘Durham Brand’ of cricket, being brave with the bat and setting the game up so our bowlers can go to work was amazing for us. I walk away going ‘that’s us’. We wanted to get back to being us, and we got the job done inside three days.

“We’re devastated for Scott Boland because he was going to be a great signing for us, everyone looked forward to him taking millions of wickets. Once we knew the extent of the injury, I immediately got onto Marcus North and he came up with a list.

“We felt that Peter Siddle has done it all before, he understands the county game, a total professional who will work to keep himself in shape and to get him here straight away is really important for us.

“Essex are the number one team in the country at the moment, they’re the benchmark. Everyone can talk about Surrey and how good they are, but you look at the ladder and Essex are top. For us, it’s a great challenge and as a coach I love these games because it puts us up against the best team and we want to be the best.”