The buzz was undeniable: Durham made quite an impression in the upper echelons of cricket, delivering a playstyle reminiscent of the audacious “Bazball” approach that would certainly impress England captain Ben Stokes. However, their momentum hit a snag just as the 2024 season got underway. An unexpected obstacle appeared when their first match was abruptly canceled, only to be followed by a challenging game at Edgbaston where Warwickshire put up a daunting score of 698 for 3. Adding to their woes, Scott Boland had to cut his three-month stint short due to an injury, bowing out after just 13 overs.
Despite these setbacks, Durham rebounded admirably. By the time the season reached its midpoint, they secured a respectable mid-table finish with four solid victories under their belt. Their performance was strong enough to earn a spot in the T20 Blast knockout stages. Much of this resilience can be credited to the newfound confidence brought in by Ryan Campbell since he stepped in as head coach. His leadership seems to have breathed new life into the team, setting them on a promising path for the rest of the competition.