2025 season: Ninth in Division One (relegated)
Martin Emmerson – BBC Radio Newcastle
Durham discover themselves in Division Two as soon as once more, simply a few years after going up.
The final time they have been relegated – attributable to poor type – they gained solely two Championship video games. That was in the summertime of 2000.
After beating (eventual title winners) Notts in Could final 12 months, they seemed to be on course, however because it turned out, that was it. They didn’t win one other match and have been relegated after a disastrous last day in Leeds.
Understanding Hampshire had already misplaced to Surrey, Durham solely needed to bat out the day to outlive. Yorkshire have been already protected. The guests didn’t even make tea.
Coach Ryan Campbell signed a brand new two-year contract a couple of weeks earlier. It appears relegation got here as a shock and he stated he had plenty of sleepless nights after it.
For me, it had been coming for months. The shortcoming to win video games was obvious by July as attracts began to show into defeats. It was yet one more season the place they struggled to maintain bowlers match and too many batters struggled.
In 2024, David Bedingham was the main batter within the nation, however a toe damage early in 2025 noticed him sidelined for weeks. He was then on worldwide obligation and when he did return to Durham, he had little type to talk of. Bedingham is again for a seventh season this 12 months and I hope he can re-discover his spark.
We noticed little of Sam Conners, with the bowler injured when the marketing campaign started, whereas fellow new signing Will Rhodes struggled with the bat.
As for this season, West Indian bowler Kemar Roach has signed for the primary a part of the marketing campaign.
He has gained three county titles. He’s now 37 and I’m holding my fingers crossed he doesn’t undergo the curse of the abroad bowler in Chester-le-Avenue. It strikes ceaselessly.
Kasey Aldridge agreed a three-year deal final summer time, following a profitable spell on mortgage from Somerset within the T20 Blast. Little question when he signed he would have been anticipating to play Division One cricket this 12 months.
Durham additionally signed 20-year-old fast Archie Bailey from Gloucestershire. I’ve heard good reviews about him however he has solely performed 5 first-class matches thus far.
After relegation in his first season as skipper, Alex Lees stays within the function which has shocked a couple of folks.
He has actually acquired his work minimize out if Durham are to turn out to be a successful staff once more. Of their two wins final season, one was towards fellow relegation facet Worcestershire.
I stay sceptical about Durham’s possibilities of promotion. I might be very happy to see them go up.
However, whereas some followers anticipate a fast return to Division One, there are others who level to the experiences of Kent and Lancashire final season as an alternative.
Will probably be fascinating to see the way it all pans out.
