History will probably never relate exactly how many alcoholic beverages were consumed by the Durham players and coaches on their back to Chester-le-Street on Saturday.
But the story of how this county went from perennial whipping-boys to County Champions just 16 years after being granted first-class status is one of the most romantic tales English sport has to offer.
And this year nobody can say they have not deserved the first of what could be a number of Championship pennants. In recording six superb victories this summer - while loaning their best players Steve Harmison and Paul Collingwood to England for significant chunks of it - Durham have served notice of their immense quality.
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Here is my selection of the 11 best players from the County Championship this season.
Excuses for the weather aside, I don't think it has been a vintage season and whilst it's been great to witness another close title race I wonder if that is as much to do with a set of average teams as it is exciting competition.
But there is talent out there, players worth watching and admiring. I have tried to pick the XI on impressions from viewing the players and not solely on averages. I have looked at the averages but not included them in the blog. You can check them .
I have allowed myself only two overseas players. are a scourge on the game and it is a shame some counties have felt no option but to sign so many.
But it's not just about my XI. Enjoy choosing your own side, and add your comments below..
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Welcome to Ask Bearders, where Test Match Special statistician answers your questions on all things cricket.
Below are Bill's responses to some of your questions posed at the end of his last column and if you have a question for Bill, leave it at the end of this blog entry. Please do include your country of residence - Bill loves to hear where all his correspondents are posting from.
Bill isn't able to answer all of your questions, however. ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Sport staff will choose a selection of them and send them to Bearders for him to answer.
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There are two types of retired cricketing superstars.
One swaps the heat and tension of the dressing-room for the air-conditioned comfort of the commentary box, glad never to have to face a 90mph bouncer again or bowl another over in 90-degree heat.
The other - while still of potential interest to media employers - wistfully watches future generations of batsmen and bowlers playing the game, wishing they were 10 years younger.
, who finished his Yorkshire career at Scarborough last Saturday, two days after his 38th birthday, will belong firmly in the latter camp.
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Welcome to Ask Bearders, where Test Match Special statistician answers your questions on all things cricket.
Below are Bill's responses to some of your questions posed at the end of his last column and if you have a question for Bill, leave it at the end of this blog entry. Please do include your country of residence - Bill loves to hear where all his correspondents are posting from.
Bill isn't able to answer all of your questions, however. ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Sport staff will choose a selection of them and send them to Bearders for him to answer.
Read the rest of this entry
England's selectors have only delayed the moment of truth.
By for the controversial , the selectors have merely put back the day when the final 11, who will , are revealed.
Only then will the impact of the most divisive and tasteless selection in cricket history be known.
I only hope the England management have been on an extra training course to prepare themselves.
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It was a real shame that the international summer ended with a as England's hopes of reaching were washed away by the Welsh weather.
All those at the Swalec Stadium deserved better for all the hard work they have put in to transform the ground - it will be fascinating to see what other changes we will see over the next 12 months before Cardiff hosts the .
It may have been a soggy end to the summer - but if you think about it, what an amazing few months this has been for the England team and for the game of cricket in general.
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The final piece of England's one-day jigsaw dropped into place at Lord's where made the most of the opportunity to .
, Shah had missed out in his two previous innings, scoring 12 and 23 when he had ample time to set himself.
Perhaps it was the freedom that came with the 20 overs chase that relaxed him at Lord's, and also Pietersen's blistering 40 from 32 balls at the other end, and he played exactly the clever, well-paced innings that England want from their number three.
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