Derby relish
Source -
icteesside.co.uk
Durham are getting "better and better" at Twenty20 Cup cricket warned flashing blade Gordon Muchall ahead of today's crucial trip to Yorkshire.
Durham are getting "better and better" at Twenty20 Cup cricket warned flashing blade Gordon Muchall ahead of today's crucial trip to Yorkshire.
The gifted 22-year-old has carried his rich vein of form into the hugely popular short-form competition and the outcome of this evening's Headingley derby could well come down to which side's bowlers are more successful at subduing the bullish batsmen.
While Muchall's last three Twenty20 scores are an impressive 64 from 42 balls, 38 not out (from 30) and 46 (from 43), Yorkshire's Ian Harvey has proved virtually unplayable, hitting 109 from 55 balls on Tuesday evening and 74 (from 32) at the weekend.
With just one win from three, Durham must win to retain any hope of reaching the quarter-finals. Looking back to Tuesday's dramatic six-wicket victory over Notts, Muchall said: "It was the best wicket we've played on at the Riverside this year and it was a great spectacle for the crowd.
"We managed to chase down a big score and we're getting better and better in each Twenty20 game we play.
"You've got longer than you think in 20-overs cricket and having wickets in hand is the key as we proved against the Outlaws."
Harvey has emerged as the most potent Twenty20 Cup batsman after his consistent high-scoring efforts since the competition was introduced two years ago, though he's at a loss to explain the reason for his success.
"I can't answer why things have gone so well for me in Twenty20," admitted the Australian. "I just really enjoy playing the game and things have gone well for me. It's a pretty hectic game, but I love it. It's a big week for us, but we've got two wins, now we've got to go on from here."
Looking back to Tuesday's century, he added: "It was one of those days where everything came off.
"I'm feeling pretty good at the moment and I'm backing myself with the bat."
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