T20 Blast bite-size preview: Durham Jets

County Championship Division One title holders and perennial underachievers in the North Division of last year's Twenty20 competition, Durham are eager to find the balance this time.
<b>Brief Overview:</b> County Championship Division One title holders and perennial underachievers in the North Division of last year's Twenty20 competition, Durham are eager to find the balance this time. They'll need to do so without former England fast bowler Steve Harmison, who has retired, and erstwhile South African batsman Dale Benkenstein, who has moved to Hampshire.
<b>Venue:</b> The Riverside Ground in Chester-le-Street has brought some pretty hefty T20 totals recently, including England's 195 for five – on the back of opener Alex Hales' quickfire 94 – against Australia in August last year.
<b>Batsman To Watch:</b> Former England captain Paul Collingwood still has plenty to offer in the twilight of his career – as a strike-rate consistently above 120 will attest.
<b>Bowler To Watch:</b> While fast bowler Chris Rushworth topped the county's wicket-taking ranks in last year's contest, spinner Will Smith's role was arguably more important. The slow bowler maintained an economy rate of under six throughout.
<b>Overseas Signings:</b> Australian all-rounder John Hastings and former Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara have been recruited for the season, in part, but the latter isn't likely to stick around for the T20 Blast – instead returning to international duty.
<b>Know Your Mascot:</b> Chester the Lion did the county proud during yesteryear's finals day, strutting his stuff with remarkable agility during a dance competition with other mascots.
<b>Cricket365's Prediction:</b> Sixth in North Division.
Latest
-
News
England in pole position for 2-0 series win after Jack Leach and Dom Bess strike
The tourists need 164 to secure victory.
-
News
England chasing 164 to beat Sri Lanka after Jack Leach and Dom Bess dominate
The hosts were dismissed for just 126 on the fourth afternoon.
-
News
Dom Bess and Jack Leach spin Sri Lanka into serious trouble in Galle
England are closing in on a series win.
-
News
Sri Lanka v England Day 3: England skipper Joe Root’s brilliant form continues
Root’s 186 helped England battle back against Sri Lanka in Galle.
-
News
Jos Buttler: Everyone can learn something from watching Joe Root play spin
England’s captain scored another Test century in Galle.
-
News
5 biggest Test knocks of England captain Joe Root’s career
Root’s superb showing in Galle moved him up to fourth in the list of his country’s highest Test run scorers.
-
News
Joe Root puts on another batting masterclass in Sri Lanka before late dismissal
The England captain departed having scored 186 of England’s 339 for nine in Galle.
-
News
England rely on Joe Root again as he defies Sri Lanka with another century
He hit an unbeaten 137 as England reached tea at 252 for six to trail their hosts by 129 runs.
-
News
England stay alive in Sri Lanka as Joe Root claims another century
The Yorkshireman has reached three figures in consecutive matches for the first time in his career.
-
News
Sri Lanka v England Day 2: Familiar faces keep England in the hunt at Galle
James Anderson and Joe Root raised the bar in the second Test against Sri Lanka.