Preview: Vikings v Bears, Vitality Blast

Stand-in Captain Alex Davies believes his side’s powerplay exploits ensured the Bears left Durham with a valuable two points.

matc

2023-06-21T15:55:00.000Z

Stand-in Captain Alex Davies believes his side’s powerplay exploits ensured the Bears left Durham with a valuable two points.

Opting to field first, the bowlers restricted the hosts to just 29/2 before posting 146/5. In reply, Davies and opening partner Rob Yates added 66 to put a serious dent in the 147 target.

And whilst the innings got nervy towards the back end, it was the young Jacob Bethell who added another successful cameo to his important innings against Worcestershire last week.

"I think for 80% of that game we were outstanding,” said Davies. “We were very clinical with the ball and we've won the game in both powerplays. Our seamers were fantastic first up and the spinners came on to restrict them to that score that was just under par.

“We made a great start with the bat and it just needed one of us to take on the responsibility to bat through. Credit to Durham they bowled well and used the conditions. But, we scrapped very hard to get over the line.

Preview: Vikings v Bears, Vitality Blast - Image 2

"I've been gutted for Bethell not being in the team for the first few games. You can see his potential and I think he's going to play for England at some stage in his career. He's arguably won us the last two games. It was really good to see such a young lad play older than his years. I was confident because Bethell has the calmest head in the room, which is saying a lot when he's 19. It got a little bit closer than we wanted, but we did it in the end."

Following a day of rest, Bears head to Headingley to face Yorkshire. The North Group, as expected, is incredibly tight with four teams within one win of the Bears who sit top.

“We travel to Leeds tomorrow and will be prepared. We’re unsure how many wins we need and I haven’t looked at the results from tonight, but we’ll just keep trying to win every game.”

Squad

Alex Davies (C)Hassan AliEd BarnardChris BenjaminJacob BethellDanny BriggsEthan BrookesHenry BrookesJake LintottDan MousleyGlenn MaxwellWill RhodesChris WoakesRob Yates

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