September 2014 saw Durham CCC take on Warwickshire CCC in the Royal London One Day Cup final. The annual end of season final was held at Lords ‘The Home of Cricket’.
As a Durham supporter I was fortunate to be able to make the journey from Newcastle to London to spectate the game.
The 6am train to London Kings Cross was packed with optimistic Durham fans
Arriving in London for 9:30am I made the journey to Lords via The Tube
On a grey and overcast day in the capital, Durham won the toss and elected to field first.
Open the batting for the Warwickshire Bears was captain Varun Chopra, who made a respectable 64 before being bowled by Chris Rushworth.
Apart from a sixth wicket stand of 47 between Chopra and Chris Woakes the Bears had no bite and were bowled out for a mediocre 165. Ben Stokes, Paul Collingwood and Rushworth took two wickets each with Gareth Breese being the pick of the bowlers with figures of 3-30.
Chasing 166, Durham got off to a disastrous start being reduced to 12-2 after 3 overs, Rikki Clarke claimed the wickets of Phil Mustard and Callum Macleod. However captain Mark Stoneman steadied the ship making a run-a-ball 52 before falling victim to the spin of Jeetan Patel.
England veteran Paul Collingwood was next at the helm and added a much needed 21 before being caught by Porterfield off the bowling of Hanon-Dalby. Patel then appeared to take the game away from the Northerners by reducing the side to 130-7, sending Gordon Muchall and Scott Borthwick back to the pavilion.
Ben Stokes was named MOTM for his vital 38*
However semi-final hero Ben Stokes and the retiring Gareth Breese held their nerve and took Durham over the line to 166-7 with just under ten overs to spare.
It was a great day for all associated with Durham and was the youngest counties second win in two at Lords.
All in all it was a fantastic first experience at the home of Cricket.
I spoke to Martin Thursfield about his career in County Cricket, England’s chances at the 2019 Cricket World Cup and what life after cricket has entailed.
DH: You spent 7 years representing various Southern Counties, predominately as a bowler, who was the hardest batsman you came up against?
MT: That’s a tough one! There was a number of great batsman I came up against over the years. I found it particularly difficult when bowling against the likes of Stuart Law and Mohammad Azharuddin. Worcestershire always had a strong batting line-up when I played against them, the likes of Tom Moody and Graeme Hick were extremely difficult to bowl at and tough to get out.
DH: In 1991 you represented England in a youth ODI, what was the experience of representing your country like?
MT: It was a privilege to represent my country. I was lucky enough to be selected for the Youth tour of New Zealand in 1991 and I played in a warm up game in preparation for the ODI series. I was then picked for the 1st ODI which was being played in Hamilton. However as I was running in to bowl during my first over I felt my leg click and I couldn’t continue. I was carted off to hospital and told I had a stress fracture and had broken my leg. I was ruled out of the rest of the tour and didn’t play another international game.
DH: What would you say your proudest career moment is?
MT: I take great pride in the fact I got the legendary Brian Lara out in a game at Edgbaston whilst playing for Hampshire. However I’d say that my proudest career moment was making my first class debut for Middlesex against New Zealand. Playing for Middlesex allowed me to call Lord’s ‘The Home of Cricket’ my home ground which was an extreme privilege. Being able to walk through the famous long room and play in a stadium etched with history was a real honour. The pitch itself was like a carpet and made me look forward to every home game.
DH: How do you rate England’s chances in the 2019 CWC?
MT: I rate England’s chances highly as they are an extremely strong side. They have kept the same team for a number of years now so they have all jelled together and know each others game. My only worry is if they can handle the pressure of being tournament favourites, however I think the home crowd should give them an added boost and see them through the tournament.
DH: What has life after cricket entailed? What do you do now?
MT: I retired from professional cricket in 1997 and became a police officer in August 1998. Working in the police force was a career aspiration of mine from a young age however it took a back seat when my cricket career took off. Late on in my career I began to realise that I needed something after cricket which is when the idea of working for the police began to reemerge. As of 2019 I have been working for the police for 21 years.
2019 sees England & Wales host the 12th edition of the Cricket World Cup. The ten team tournament spans across ten UK cities and will run from the 30th May to the 14th July.
The 11 England players first take to the field at the Oval on the 30th May against South Africa.
Here’s 10 reasons why 45 days later, on July 14th, they’ll be bringing home glory.
1. Home Sweet Home
Home advantage has been pivotal for the last two hosts of the tournament, Australia hosted and won the tournament in 2015. With India doing the same in 2011.
England will be hoping to be crowned World Champions at Lords ‘The Home of Cricket’.
The past bodes well for the host nation which will hopefully allow them to take full advantage of playing in front of a packed home crowd.
2. Ladies First
Its the second time in two years that England have hosted a Cricket World Cup.
2017 saw England women captain Heather Knight lead her lionesses to Women’s World Cup glory on home soil.
If Eoin Morgan and his men can take inspiration from this then another trophy lifting is on the cards.
In recent years England have excelled in the 50 over format of the game, breaking the record for the highest ODI innings total not once, BUT TWICE.
Trent Bridge in Nottingham has played host to both these triumphs, so when England face Pakistan at the ground on June 3rd another colossal total may be in the offing.
5. That Winning Feeling
England’s momentum going into the tournament couldn’t better if they tried, winning each of their last nine ODI series the tournament comes with the worlds number one side in an extremely rich vain of form.
6. Captain Morgan
Since taking over from Andrew Strauss as ODI captain in 2011, Eoin Morgan has successfully transformed England into a force to be reckoned with.
Eoin Morgan will be hoping he’s still smiling like this on July 14
Morgan will be hoping that the disappointment of the 2015 tournament was a learning curve and that he’ll be raising a trophy aloft on July 14th.
Current tournament holders Australia are a side in turmoil, experiencing their worst form since 1878, the Aussies are a side that everyone wants to face. New captain Aaron Finch will be hoping for a change in form but as it stands England’s chances of taking their crown are extremely high.
Current trophy holders Australia celebrating their success in 2015. By Getty Images: Cameron Spencer. Licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
9. Ben Stokes
Where to begin. Love him or hate him, Ben Stokes is one of England’s finest cricketers. The passion, determination and desire Stokes shows every time he steps out on the pitch is why he is a fan and pundit favourite.
With all roads leading to England in 2019, all praise is heading towards the three lions. South African cricketing legend Allan Donald has tipped England for glory in 2019. The praise from cricketing royalty will no doubt give the hosts an extra boat of confidence.
The retirement of former England captain Alistair Cook in September 2018 has left the team looking for a new opening batsman to partner Keaton Jennings in the Sri Lanka winter tour of 2018/2019.
Cook, 33,announced that he would be retiring from international cricket after the fifth test against India. After 161 tests and more runs than any other England test player, Cook stated that he feels “the timing is right”.
His retirement means that a shift in batting personnel is needed. England’s number 2 Keaton Jennings is expected to retain his place, with his temperament and previous form in Sri Lankan conditions standing him in good stead. However a partner for Jennings is at the top of the England selector’s minds. The Division one County Championship top scorer Rory Burns will tour with the squad and is being tipped to open, but with Joe Denly also touring as a cover batsman it is unclear as to who will definitely be partnering Keaton Jennings on November 6th in Galle.
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