Durham host Hampshire in a must win game

By Jon Steer
August 20 2003

Durham's game against Hampshire is one which we must win to keep alive hopes of promotion after last week's set back. The game sees the return of Paul Collingwood from injusry and also sees ex-Durham batsmen Simon Katich back at the Riverside.

We need to bounce back from the disappointment at Cardiff last week in a game which by all acounts we should win. Hampshire have struggled this season and are fighting it out with Derbyshire for bottom spot in the division. Having said that we only managed a draw down at Southampton...

Durham will see the much anticipated return of Paul Collingwood who hasn't palyed this season after a dislocating his shoulder in a pre-season 'friendly' against Lancashire. Collingwood scored 79 in a second XI match agaisnt Worcestershire last week and replaces Vince Wells in the lineup. Hopefully he is fully fit and that his return has not been rushed, we need him playing for the rest of the season, not just for one game.

Ashley Thorpe also gets a rare outing for the first team, Nicky Peng moves up to open the innings as Michael Gough misses out. Nicky Hatch replaces Phillips in the bowling attack as Shoaib Akhtar starts the first test against Bangladesh at home in Pakistan.

Hampshire have recently signed Sri Lankan star Chaminda Vaas who played so well in the World Cup. He took four wickets in his first match for Hampshire against Derbyshire last week. Together with occasional England player, Alan Mullally, they make a formidable opening partnership.

Hamphire's other overseas player is well known to Durham supporters - Australian Simon Katich who spent a season at the Riverside before being replaced by compatriot Martin Love. Katich has had a good season so far, scoring 891 runs in 10 championship matches.