Match times, streaming information, tickets and travel, team news, weather forecast, form, prediction and everything else you need to know ahead of the latest round of the LV= Insurance County Championship...
Fixture: Derbyshire v Durham
Venue: Incora County Ground, Derby
Dates: Thursday, May 20, 2021 - Sunday, May 23, 2021
Start time: 11am
What's the lowdown?
Derbyshire fell to their second defeat of the season in the last round, against a buoyed Essex team galvanised by Simon Harmer, who inspired an innings victory. They remain rooted to the foot of the table, with their red-ball campaign unravelling.
Durham had an excellent week as they became the first team to beat Worcestershire in the 2021 season. The plaudits fell mainly to Chris Rushworth, who became Durham’s all-time leading wicket-taker in first-class cricket. They have elevated themselves into the top two spots and are in prime position to cement their place.
Who's in form?
In a week where few positives could be found for Derbyshire, Brooke Guest was the standout performer, accumulating 114 runs across his two innings. Leading into the game Matt Critchley and Harvey Hosein were Derbyshire’s in-form pair and will remain crucial to their hopes of securing a first victory.
Durham’s David Bedingham still boasts the best batting average in the championship, despite having a quiet game against Worcestershire. Chris Rushworth took nine wickets in the match and now has 26 scalps at 16.38 for the season.
Last five first-class matches (most recent first)
Derbyshire: LLDDD
Durham: WWDLD
Head-to-head first-class record
Total matches: 30
Derbyshire wins: 6
Durham wins: 13
Draws: 11
Abandoned: 2
What's the team news?
Derbyshire: Both Luis Reece (knee) and Billy Stanlake are missing the clash with Durham due to injury.
Squad: Billy Godleman (C), Leus du Plooy, Wayne Madsen, Matt Critchley, Alex Hughes, Harvey Hosein, Brooke Guest, Fynn Hudson-Prentice, Michael Cohen, Sam Conners, Ben Aitchison, Dustin Melton.
Durham: Cameron Bancroft makes his competitive return in Durham colours as he is included in a 14-man squad for their fixture against Derbyshire. He comes in for the departing New Zealand Test top-order batter Will Young. Otherwise, Durham's squad remains unchanged from their victory over Worcestershire last week.
Squad: Scott Borthwick (c), Cameron Bancroft, David Bedingham, Jack Burnham, Brydon Carse, Paul Coughlin, Ned Eckersley, Ben Raine, Chris Rushworth, Matt Salisbury, Liam Trevaskis, Alex Lees, Stuart Poynter, Mark Wood.
Latest Derbyshire news: Click here
Latest Durham news: Click here
Who's said what?
After making a winless start to the new season, Alex Hughes hopes the return of fans can inspire Derbyshire upon the visit of Durham this week.
“We haven’t been playing our best cricket, hopefully, they will give us a bit of a buzz to turn that around," said the 29-year-old. "We’re facing a side in really good form, I thought they would be there or thereabouts at the start of the season, and they’ve shown how good they are.”
“We might not be the biggest club, but we’ve got a very loyal fanbase. It’ll be nice to catch up with some familiar faces. One of the best things about being a professional cricketer is to be able to interact with our fans, to make them happy and proud of us when we put that shirt on.”
Following a controversial week, Cameron Bancroft is looking forward to turning his attention fully to Durham having emerged from quarantine.
The visitors come into the game following back-to-back wins and face a Derbyshire side awaiting their first success of the campaign.
“To see, from afar, how the group has grown and how they’ve started the season is really exciting," said the Australian batter, who hasn't played for Durham since July 2019.
“There’s a good feeling amongst the group, there’s a good culture brewing here and it’s just nice to be a part of it again.
"Hopefully, I can contribute and really enjoy the direction the club are going in.”
What's the weather forecast?
There will be a high of 14 degrees in Derby, with showers predicted throughout. The skies will remain overcast on Thursday, with a chance of sunny spells later in the week.
Keep up to date with the MetOffice’s rolling forecast for Derby: Click here
How do I follow the match?
TV/stream: Derbyshire will offer live coverage of the match via their website: Click here
All County Championship matches are also available via the ECB's central hub: Click here
The matches can also be viewed on mobile via the ECB app.
Radio: BBC Local Radio and the BBC Sport website will carry ball-by-ball radio commentary of the game.
Digital: The Cricketer will carry live scorecards and daily updates from every County Championship match in 2021, as well as the latest breaking news from around the counties and exclusive features. Visit our County Hub for more.
Going to the game?
Tickets: Adult - £10, Junior (under 16s) - £5 (under 5s go free), Student - £5 (students must show valid NUS card), group tickets also available - click here for details
Travel
Address: Derbyshire County Cricket Club, The Incora County Ground, Nottingham Road, Derby DE21 6DA
By Car
From M1 South
Take exit 25 for the A52 Derby. After six miles you will arrive at Pentagon Island. The ground is the fourth exit off this roundabout, signposted with Derbyshire County Cricket Club.
From M1 North
Take exit 28 for the A38 towards Derby. After approximately 13 miles, you will arrive at a roundabout, take the first exit towards the A61, signposted with a brown cricket sign. Follow over two more roundabouts, staying on the A61. At Pentagon Island, take the first exit off the roundabout into the ground, signposted with Derbyshire County Cricket Club.
From Birmingham
Travel up the A38 to the A61 Little Eaton roundabout. Take the third exit towards A61 Derby signposted with a brown cricket sign. Follow over two more roundabouts. At Pentagon Island, take the 1st exit signposted with Derbyshire County Cricket Club.
From M6
Exit on J15 (from south), J16 (from north), follow signs to A50 (Uttoxeter). Follow the A50 approximately 20 miles to A516 to Derby. Take the A516 until it joins the A38 then follow the directions (from Birmingham) above.
Spectator parking will be available in the Pavilion car park and adjacent overflow area as well as by the entrance from Sir Frank Whittle Road. Disabled parking spaces are available in The Incora Pavilion car park. While the club will always try to accommodate all vehicles visiting the ground, admittance will be on a first-come, first-served basis.
By Bus
Derbyshire County Cricket Club is well-connected by a number of bus routes, with a bus stop located just a minute’s walk from the main entrance.
By Train
Derby is on the East Midlands Trains mainline with direct trains from London St. Pancras via Leicester from the South, and Sheffield and Chesterfield from the North.
It is also on the Cross-Country line with trains from Scotland, Newcastle, Durham and Yorkshire, as well as The West Country, Bristol and Birmingham. Derby is also served by local trains from Burton, Cardiff, Crewe, Matlock, Nottingham and the East Midlands.
It is approximately a 20-minute walk to the ground from Derby train station.
Prediction?
Durham are flying high with strong victories in their last two outings. Derbyshire are yet to enter the winner's circle and will find it difficult to break their duck against the consistency of Scott Borthwick’s side. Durham win.
OTHER ROUND SEVEN PREVIEWS
Group 1
Nottinghamshire v Worcestershire
Group 2
Group 3
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