WITH 22 players from Durham competing against each other in our first two-day game of the tour, it is fair to say that the headline was always going to include a positive result for the club.

But after hours of nets and practice we have now all played our first game of the 'summer' and I am delighted to report that the Lewis XI overcame the Muchall XI by 50 runs.

I am, of course, delighted for many reasons.

Firstly, the result means I won't have to pay for my meal next Monday night when we have our end-of-tour dinner. That privilege goes to the losers.

But from a personal point of view, I am also delighted to have got through the full game (including a day in the field) with no ill effects to the left shoulder I damaged in the middle of last season.

After all the rehabilitation and preparation, I was pleased to get an hour at the crease and a couple of tumbles in the field out of the way with no adverse effects to the body.

For the record, the individual plaudits were shared through both teams. Our total of just over 300 was based around a solid 50 from Gary Pratt and 40-plus scores from Gary Scott, Kyle Coetzer and Garry Park. Chief wicket-taker was Callum Thorp, though on another day it could have been Ottis Gibson as he bowled several excellent spells.

In reply for the Muchall XI, James Lowe and Gareth Breese made early contributions until a last-wicket stand of 80 between Thorp and Mark Davies boosted the score past 250. Ben Harmison picked up three wickets and Graham Onions bowled with consistent pace and accuracy.

Overall it was a successful two days and the coaches were pleased with the general high standard of performance. Thorp also produced a stunning one-handed catch, which probably secured him the Man of the Match award.

OfFthe field the tour has also picked up pace.

The Dubai World Cup proved to be as entertaining an evening as it had been the previous year.

This time I did manage to see Frankie Dettori ride home on 'Electrocutionist' and away from the track there were some excellent tented bar areas with live music.

Geoff Cook also arranged a meal for us at the Ajman Marina bar and restaurant.

The live music here is supplied by a kind of Oriental version of The Corrs, but they were greatly assisted on this evening by our very own Luke 'Clapton' Evans.

Big Luke, our 6ft 8in academy fast bowler, takes his guitar with him wherever he travels and the local band were delighted to have him on stage to play.

Towards the end of the evening several of the guys also demonstrated their vocal skills (of varying quality) as an informal 'open mike night' ensued.

In all, things are going well. Between now and returning home we have four day-night games against various UAE teams so we will all get the opportunity for two or three more run-outs.

Then our biggest problem will be acclimatisation - a day in the field in 35 degree heat is hard, but at 3.5 degrees it is harder.

Oh well . . .I will enjoy this while I can.