Durham

The season has ended disappointingly for Durham. At the start of April a hat-trick of championships looked a distinct possibility. A good batting line up and the best seam bowling unit in the country, it seemed all that could stop the reigning champions was a break up of the latter by England intervention or injury. Unfortunately that is just what happened; Onions (45 championship wickets last season); Harmison, S. (51) and Thorp (30) all missed a significant part of the season. This restricted Durham to only five wins and eight instances of an inability to force a result.

It is an often quoted fact that you must take twenty wickets to win a first class game and this, allied with a more than handy batting line up, has been the source of Durham's successes in recent years. Finishing fifth in championship and Pro40 and eighth in the Twenty20 cup the Chester-le-Street side will look to improve next season which, surely cannot be blighted by injury to such an extent.

Top of the Order - Michael Di Venuto

The Australian opening bat has, once again provided the mainstay of the Durham batting line up. The only player to reach the thousand run land mark Di Venuto's 1,092 at 45.5 has enabled the side to make sure foundations, it has also given younger and less experienced players the stability and certainty by which they have been able to develop and improve as professional cricketers. The sort of truly invaluable service which an 'overseas pro' can offer to any club, at whatever level the side plays.

Best Bowling - Ian Blackwell

That a spinner has claimed most wickets for a side based at the seam friendly Riverside only serves to highlight the difficulties faced by the seamers, however that should not diminish Blackwell's performance with the ball. A tally of 43 wickets at 28.02 apiece has served not only to hold up an end, but also to provide a reliable, attacking option.

Rising Star - Ben Stokes

Spirited limited overs appearances have been reflected in championship runs by the 19 year old Stokes. Born in Chritchurch, New Zealand but educated in Great Britain 13 appearances have produced 740 runs, including an impressive 161, at 46.25. The commitment by Durham to fuse youth and experience has certainly paid off in this instance, with some serious talent for the future emerging.

A Year to Forget - Will Smith

At the start of the season Smith was the young captain of a team seeking to add to already impressive credentials - at the end, a second team batsman vying for his place in the first XI. Only four games, a disappointing batting average of 16.28 and team failures saw him dropped, not only from the team, but also as captain. In truth this was Smith's first test as a skipper, as last season Durham were so far ahead of the pack that the life of the captain was a relatively easy one. Smith, like his county will look to put the year behind them.

Star Man - Ian Blackwell

Since being captured from Somerset Blackwell has offered a real reward to the North East club in his two seasons at the Riverside. In addition to being top wicket taker Blackwell has, once more, proved to be no slouch with the bat. Averaging 36.09 with 794 runs he has truly lived up to the billing of 'all rounder'. Durham's job of re-building around their senior players for next season will begin; Di Venuto, Mustard, Benkenstein, Harmison and Plunkett are all vital, however top of that list with his all round contributions must surely be, Ian Blackwell.