Durham 2026 One Day Cup Preview
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
20Wr25 Review
League Position: 6th in Group B
Top Runscorer: Will Rhodes - 429 runs
Top Bowler: Will Rhodes - 14 wickets
Top Points Scorer: Will Rhodes - 1113 points
Consistency proved to be a big issue for Durham in 2025’s One Day Cup campaign, with the side alternating between wins and losses for their first six games, before losing the last two, slumping to a sixth place finish in Group B. Their campaign was marred by two comprehensive losses, both by over 150 runs to Northants and Yorkshire respectively, along with being on the end of an absurd chase by Middlesex, with Durham unable to defend 387. There were bright spots however, with Will Rhodes displaying his full quality across all aspects of the game. The all-rounder led the side in both runs and wickets, averaging over 50 with the bat, with a top score of 100, along with taking fourteen wickets.
Outside of Rhodes, veteran opener Alex Lees averaged over 70 in the six games he played, and the metronomic Ben Raine was the team’s second leading wicket taker with 11 in his 6 games, with the experience in the side a key contributor to the limited success Durham did have last campaign.
Durham 2026 One Day Cup Preview - Banker, Wildcard & Young Gun
Durham may have lost young seamer Mitchell Killeen to Essex, who featured in six games for them last time around, but will be looking for the perfect blend of youth and experience in this year’s campaign. They look set to be without the likes of Ben McKinney and Matthew Potts, who were both selected in the Hundred, but the return of David Bedingham (maybe later on in the tournament according to Ryan Campbell) and Lees at the top of the order could be key for their success. Elsewhere, youngster Luke Robinson could be turned to, to fill the gap left by Killeen, along with the very potent spinning options of George Drissell and Shafiqullah Ghafari. One development to also look out for is the potential involvement of Ben Stokes now he has retired from international cricket, with the former England Captain set to continue playing for his home county.
Banker: Will Rhodes
Durham’s success this year could well depend on whether or not Will Rhodes can return to his superb 2025 form in the competition. Despite often featuring as the sixth or seventh bowler, Rhodes led the way last term, with his standout game with the ball being figures of 5/30 against Sussex, a game he also scored 96 in. Rhodes has been called upon in the County Championship this season too, having helped replace the space that Emilio Gay has left since joining up with the England squad. Rhodes looks primed to be another key figure in Durham’s campaign.
Wildcard: George Drissell
George Drissell played all eight games for Durham last year as their primary spinner, yet struggled with the ball, averaging over fifty. However, he looks set to have earned his chance to once again lead the spinning attack for Durham, with the aim of kicking on from last year. The twenty seven year old had a brief loan spell for Worcestershire, featuring in one game for them against Lancashire this term, and has otherwise been limited to Second XI cricket. This has not deterred Drissell, with the off spinner taking 6/42 in his most recent game against Kent. Drissell is certainly one to watch as a true wildcard option for Durham this upcoming campaign, and he is capable with the bat too, sporting an average of almost seventeen with the willow.
Young Gun: James Minto
Durham’s young pacer is part of an exceptionally exciting group, with the likes of Daniel Hogg and Luke Robinson set to be part of the furniture at Chester-Le-Street in the not too distant future. However, the former England Under 19 international looks set to lead the way in the attack. Minto is a genuine all-rounder too, with a top score of 67 in just eleven first class innings. He has limited List A experience, with the eighteen year old only featuring in four games last time out, but Minto is set for a starring role in the Durham side this campaign.
Potential Starting XI
G Clark
A Lees
E Gay
W Rhodes
B Stokes
C Ackermann
O Robinson
K Aldridge
George Drissell
L Robinson
J Minto
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