Durham face Sussex Sharks in Group B of the Metro Bank One Day Cup Men at Banks Homes Riverside, Chester-le-Street on 24 July. The 50-over contest is scheduled to begin at 6:00 PM IST, following a 1:30 PM UK start. With both counties aiming to strengthen their position in Group B, this promises to be an entertaining clash between two well-balanced sides. Durham will hope to make home conditions count at Chester-le-Street, while Sussex Sharks possess the batting depth and bowling quality to challenge away from home.
Form Guide
Durham
Durham have assembled a competitive squad for the Metro Bank One Day Cup despite losing several players to The Hundred. Their squad still features plenty of quality, and the return of experienced performers alongside talented youngsters gives them an excellent opportunity to challenge for qualification. Home conditions at Banks Homes Riverside have traditionally suited Durham’s disciplined bowling attack.
- Strong home record in 50-over cricket.
- Balanced squad with experienced county performers.
- Disciplined pace attack capable of exploiting helpful conditions.
Sussex Sharks
Sussex Sharks remain one of the stronger white-ball counties despite several players being unavailable during The Hundred. Their batting line-up possesses plenty of depth, while their bowling attack offers a good mix of pace and spin. Sussex have regularly shown they can compete strongly away from home in List A cricket.
- Strong batting depth throughout the order.
- Experienced bowling attack with wicket-taking options.
- Capable of chasing challenging totals.
Key Players
Durham
- Ben Stokes – The England all-rounder adds world-class quality with both bat and ball and is set for a List A return for Durham. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}
- Alex Lees – An experienced opener capable of anchoring the innings.
- Kasey Aldridge – The all-rounder provides valuable balance in both disciplines.
Sussex Sharks
- Tom Clark – A dependable top-order batter capable of building substantial innings.
- Danny Lamb – An experienced all-rounder who contributes with both bat and ball.
- Ollie Robinson – The skilful seamer remains a major wicket-taking threat in 50-over cricket.
Pitch and Weather Conditions
Banks Homes Riverside generally provides a balanced surface with enough assistance for seam bowlers during the opening overs before becoming an excellent wicket for batting. The large square boundaries reward intelligent stroke play, while slower bowlers can become increasingly effective during the middle overs. Teams batting first will aim for a total in the region of 280 to 300, which should provide a competitive platform.
Durham vs Sussex Sharks – Prediction
This looks set to be one of the standout fixtures in Group B. Durham’s home advantage and the presence of Ben Stokes significantly strengthen their chances, while Alex Lees provides stability at the top of the order. Sussex Sharks possess enough quality to make this a close contest through Danny Lamb and Ollie Robinson, but Durham appear to hold a slight advantage and are favourites to secure victory at Chester-le-Street.
Dream 11 Fantasy Picks
- Ben Stokes – The standout captaincy option because of his all-round impact.
- Danny Lamb – A dependable fantasy choice capable of contributing in both disciplines.
- Alex Lees – A reliable top-order batter capable of playing a match-winning innings.
Word count: approximately 680
