Blast Insight: Durham

Here's a look at Durham ahead of our visit to Emirates Riverside for our sixth away game of the 2021 Vitality Blast.

Coach: James Franklin

Last Year’s Performance: Fourth (North Group)

2020 Leading Runscorer: Alex Lees (365 @ 52.14)

2020 Leading Wicket Takers: Matty Potts (13 @ 18.07), Paul Coughlin (13 @ 16.23)

Overseas players: Cameron Bancroft (Australia – whole tournament), David Bedingham (South Africa – whole tournament)

Key man: Cameron Bancroft - Durham’s batting beyond the powerplay has been an issue for two seasons. Bancroft should be able to use his expansive strokeplay to maintain the pace of the innings.

Flies under the radar: Graham Clark - Clark has been quietly impressive at the top of the order. Clark provides a spark from the off, notching two fifties last term with a strike rate of 171.71.

Best Player Under 24: Matty Potts - Potts broke his own career-best figures in the Blast three times in 2020. He was accurate and deadly bowling in the powerplay. Potts will be a key player this term.

Blast expectations: Durham fell agonisingly short of the quarter-finals for the second Blast campaign in a row. James Franklin’s side received outstanding contributions from individuals, notably Lees, Clark, Potts, Coughlin and Ben Raine. However, in the crunch moments, Durham were not able to rise to the occasion.

There is not a great deal of turnover in the squad, losing former captain Nathan Rimmington, Scott Steel and Farhaan Berhardien, none of whom excelled last term.

Bancroft should provide experience and the ability to clear the fence in the middle order and the propsect of Ben Stokes lining up in the initial stages is a mouth-watering proposition. David Bedingham will also be richer for his experience last year.

The batting ranks look solid, while a core of bowlers of Potts, Coughlin and Brydon Carse at their peak is an exciting prospect. Look for a quarter-final push from Durham in the 2021 season.