SM
Sports Mole words bigger AMP 2
Arsenal vs. Villa: 12 hrs 49 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews

Durham

The Captain's Log with Durham's Ned Eckersley

:Headline: The Captain's Log with Durham's Ned Eckersley: ID:394498: from db_amp
The Captain's Log with Durham's Ned Eckersley

Every week during the sporting hiatus, the PA news agency will be speaking to a county cricket captain. First up is Durham skipper Ned Eckersley, 30.

How are you coping with the lack of cricket?

“It’s a weird feeling at the moment, we’ve all been sent a few things to do by the strength and conditioning coach to keep our fitness levels up but it is a frustrating time as we were looking forward to getting some games in.”

What are your most creative home workouts?

“I did some weights with a bag of dog food, it’s just about getting hold of whatever you can. You look around your house and grab whatever fits the requirements. It’s interesting seeing what you can put your mind to.”

Are you able to work on any cricket skills?

“That’s mostly on ice at the moment but I think most guys have a bat or ball to hand. I’ve been watching The Test on Amazon Prime and I reckon a few guys will be channelling their inner Steve Smith, taking their bat everywhere they go.”

How are the team staying in touch?

“There’s so many Whatsapp groups now, one of them is always going on. Marcus North (director of cricket) and James Franklin (head coach) have been ringing around and making sure everyone is staying healthy – not just physically but mentally. We have a few guys who live on their own which isn’t easy, so we’re making sure they’ve got as much human interaction as possible. That is an important part of my job right now, keeping in contact and doing as much as I can.”

Who are you on lockdown with?

“My isolation is far from quiet. I’m at the in-laws’ house so it’s my wife, my sister-in-law and her parents. I’m not lacking for human interaction!”

What is your message to the fans?

“First and foremost: stay safe. I know we are a social hub for some people during the season, we see a lot of the same faces home and away each year. But stay safe and mentally fresh, so that when the season comes around we can all enjoy it together again.”

“ Stay safe and mentally fresh, so that when the season comes around we can all enjoy it together again.”
- Ned Eckersley's message to fans

How do you see the season playing out?

“I think the championship will be affected, which is a shame but probably the right thing to do. Four-day cricket is the number one format but in this climate the limited-overs stuff – The Hundred, the Blast – has to be the priority. These are the games that are going to keep cricket alive so I’m expecting to play a lot more white-ball cricket.”

How can the club help the wider community?

“Durham have offered the stadium to the NHS and the council – there are boxes up there that they believe can be isolated safe areas and hospital overflows if needed. I know a couple of the boys have asked if they can volunteer when things change and I’m sure a lot of us will drive around deliveries or whatever we can to chip in.”

What have you been reading or watching?

“I’m lucky, I start a law degree with the Open University in February and I’m getting stuck into that. It was supposed to be part-time over six years but at the moment I’m getting through it a bit quicker. Apart from that it’s board games and puzzles.”

amp_article__394498 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2020-03-27 14:26:03:
html db last update - 2020-03-27 14:26:03 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html
Share this article now:
Read more about Ned Eckersley Cricket
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool20145148202847
2Arsenal21127241192243
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest21125430201041
4Newcastle UnitedNewcastle21115537221538
5Chelsea21107441261537
6Manchester CityMan City2110563829935
7Aston Villa2110563132-135
8Bournemouth219753225734
9Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2171043229331
10Fulham217953230230
11Brentford218494037328
12Manchester UnitedMan Utd217592629-326
13West Ham UnitedWest Ham217592741-1426
14Tottenham HotspurSpurs21731143321124
15Crystal Palace215972328-524
16Everton203891526-1117
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2144133148-1716
18Ipswich TownIpswich2137112037-1716
19Leicester CityLeicester2135132346-2314
20Southampton2113171347-346
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .