Coetzer expects Riverside thriller.

Byline: Luke Edwards 

KYLE Coetzer is predicting a thrilling advert for Championship cricket when Durham take on Nottinghamshire at the Riverside today.

Durham are 27 points clear of Notts at the top of the table and need just 11 points over the next four days to secure a second successive title triumph and the newly increased pounds 500,000 prize money.

And Coetzer, who has forced his way back into Durham's Championship side at the expense of opener Mark Stoneman following some impressive performances in limited overs competitions, expects the game to encapsulate everything that is good about the longest form of the game.

He said: "It's definitely going to be an exciting game because Notts are right behind us in the table and know they need to get a good result at our place if they are going to catch us.

"We need a good performance and make sure we do not give them any easy points.

"We've already said we want to go the entire season unbeaten and that is as much of an objective for us as the title.

"Four-day cricket is still the most important competition as far as I'm concerned and I think people who really understand cricket recognise that.

"It tests all your skills, technique, concentration and patience. It's the trophy we most want to win and we have put ourselves in an excellent position to do that. I think we're all really looking forward to the next four days because it will be the two best sides in the country playing against each other and it's a challenge to relish."

Coetzer has already had to be patient this season. Having lost his place in the Championship side at the start of the summer this will be only his fourth appearance of the season in that competition.

And the Scot is desperate to make the most of the opportunity he has been given after a diet of one-day cricket and the odd second XI outing for much of the campaign.

He said: "This squad is a very good one in terms of making everyone feel a part of things even when you're not playing. A lot of players have been involved over the summer because we've tended to play a young team in the Pro40 games.

"But this is the competition you want to be involved in the most and I'm delighted to get my chance again. It doesn't compare to playing when you're sat in the dressing room supporting, but it's up to me to make the most of it.

"It's all very well me being happy about getting my place back, now I've got to do something with it. I've been in pretty good form recently, but I don't just want to contribute, I want to be one of the players who puts up a really big score.

"I couldn't complain at the start of the season because the format was working and results were good. I've had to wait, but it's been worth it because these are the sorts of games you want to be involved in."

Coetzer is also hoping to learn as much as he can from overseas star Shivnarine Chanderpaul, who could be playing his last summer at the Riverside because of international commitments with the West Indies in 2010.

Coetzer said: "I absolutely love batting with him and it's been a great experience. He keeps things so simple and basic and that is something we can all learn.

"He has his own way of playing and you have to adapt the things he tells you to your own style of play, but he's a fantastic player. He plays the ball so late and he picks up what the ball is doing from just a couple of deliveries. It's a pleasure to play with him." Durham will be without two of their frontline seamers against Notts as Callum Thorp has picked up a back injury and Graham Onions has been drafted into England's one-day squad.

Tickets for days one and two (today and tomorrow) are priced at pounds 15 for adults and pounds 6 for juniors. Admission will be free on Friday and Saturday to encourage fans to support their title bid.

Durham vs Nottinghamshire (home) from: M Di Venuto, K Coetzer, W Smith, D Benkenstein, S Chanderpaul, I Blackwell, P Mustard, L Plunkett, M Claydon, M Davies, S Harmison, G Breese.

CAPTION(S):

THRILLER Kyle Coetzer is expecting a cracking game against Notts.