Wise sages say you should never wish your time away. But the 17 hours between close of play at Canterbury on September 26, and the start of the final day, could not go quick enough.
For that evening was the only point in the season where there was a feeling of expectancy about our Championship aspirations. Before that, it was more quiet confidence, but events had transpired around the country to leave us firm favourites as the dew settled on the night of the 26th. It was a feeling I was uneasy with. It had seemed that every county had chose to play down their hopes at various points, and no sooner had a county topped the table, the next match saw them deposed. I was wary of one more sting in the tail; something dramatic on the last day of a closely-fought, open Championship season: an unlikely Notts runs-chase, perhaps, or a brave resurrection from Kent’s lower-order.
Thankfully, nothing of the like occurred, and Saturday September 27, 2008, will forever be etched in the memory of everyone associated with Durham. To see the pride and sheer joy on faces of players, coaches and supporters alike – not just on that day, but in the celebratory haze of the week to follow – will stay with me forever.
To say that I am proud is an understatement, but you can only imagine what it must mean to those people who toiled long and hard in the darker, less successful times. They are many. And to each and every one of them this must feel so sweet. It is a genuine high-class reward for their efforts, and never at a club or in a region has this been so richly deserved. It would be silly to try and name them all, but the one who can represent them fittingly is Geoff Cook. Last year was great for the club – a day at Lord’s and a first piece of silverware; something tangible. But 2008 will always be remembered as the year in which Durham reached the pinnacle. I think Geoff struggles to find the words still. Perhaps in a few years time, he will be able to relate his thoughts and feelings. It would make captivating listening.
Before that last evening down in Canterbury, the 2008 season was a good one. We consolidated our position as one of the strongest counties in all forms of the game and finally got the Twenty20 monkey firmly off our back. The genuine disappointment at losing two semi-finals shows the standards that are now seen and expected at Durham. We expected to win those competitions, and it seemed as if we may have been victims of our own consistency, as progression in each competition meant that each and every day of cricket was vital. It should never be any other way. And after the Canterbury game, the 2008 season became a truly great one.
Going into the last round of games we were third favourites to win, and looking like the bridesmaids again. Only on the very last day of the season, at the most important of times, did we get our noses in front. That speaks volumes for the attitude and resolve of the squad. Many lesser people may have coasted, or even frozen, and let the chance slip through their fingers. Not so at Durham. It emphasises so well that success is not built on far reaching goals at the end of the journey, it is about the day to day absolute mental and physical preparation. Take care of each and every day, and the rewards will come. I just wonder how many times Geoff et al. had to reinforce this dogma since 16 years ago. It is to his great credit that Durham have built a squad full of personalities, not just talented, but capable of this mental grind. It is a marathon, not a sprint.
On a personal level, only now am I realising what it takes mentally to be successful consistently. It is a great feeling, and one with endless possibilities. It is a realisation that you are the only person capable of motivating yourself for each ball, each over, each session, each day. I am far behind some guys at Durham in that respect, and I am far ahead of some. But having achieved this and seen what it takes, I believe that everyone in the squad wants more, and will become better and better at preparing themselves individually – and, as a result, collectively - for the day-to-day process of being successful. This is why I have no doubt that 2009 will see Durham have a squad that is even more determined and motivated to build on what we have achieved so far.
This may sound like a corporate business lecture, and for that I apologise, but it is the best way I can define how and why 2008 will be forever Durham’s.
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The Contributors
James Foster was still a student for Durham University when he was called up to the England A squad in 2000-01, before progressing to full
international honours the following winter. However, he broke his arm in the nets early in the 2002 season which allowed Alec Stewart back into the side and he has played just one further Test, at Melbourne in 2002-03. But two strong seasons have put him back in the frame and he was part of the England Lions squad during the 2007-08 winter tour to India. He was appointed
Essex's vice captain in 2007.
Nick Compton, grandson of the legendary Denis, was raised in South Africa before moving to Harrow as a teenager. Like many young South Africans, he excelled at handball sports and, although he took some time to
cement his place, he's been a consistent and elegant batsman at the
top of the order for Middlesex ever since. This winter, instead of
spending it in the gym, he and Graham Napier trekked in the foothills
of Mount Everest to stage the world's highest ever cricket match.
Will Smith was 22 when he sparked Nottinghamshire's interest with a fine 156 for Durham Universities in 2005, and it was enough to earn him a
contract and three games with the county in their Championship-winning
season. A strong opening batsman, he had to wait until 2006 to hit his
maiden first-class hundred following a winter in which he had double
hernia and shoulder operations. He joined Durham in 2007 and has a
range of curious nicknames: Posh Kid, Smudge and Jiggy.
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