From Minor to Major

On 19th April 1992 Durham County Cricket Club (founded 1881) became the first new county to join the County Cricket Championship since Glamorgan in 1921. One player who signed for Durham is Simon Hughes, the ex-Middlesex quick bowler who is also a columnist for "The Independent". With him have come the team manager, Geoff Cook, the captain, David Graveney and two Test players, the Australian Dean Jones and Ian Botham. Durham has played continuously in the Minor Counties Championship since 1899, and won it nine times. Now Simon Hughes tells the story of Durham's first first-class season from the inside. He describes Durham's preparations for entry, building up the membership, the seeking of sponsorship, the recruitment of a manager and players. Beginning with their very first match, he shows how the new, 18th, county makes its mark, records its successes and failures, and its impact on the Championship. Finally, he assesses its achievements and future. 1992 was bound to be a memorable season, and not least because it marked Durham's debut in the fist-class game.
Born in 1959 and educated at Latymer Upper School and Durham University, Simon Hughes made his debut for Middlesex in 1980, won his cap in 1981 and was awarded a benefit in 1991.