During a visit to Durham Branch earlier this year, Chris Axelby suggested that we might consider presenting Badged Scriptures to Durham County Cricket Club. Durham are cricket's newest county team having been granted first-class status in 1992. They won the title three times in six seasons between 2008 and 2013, but in late 2016 had been relegated to Division Two of the County Championship as a punishment for their financial problems. The sanction also meant Durham were no longer eligible to host Test matches, although they are able to continue hosting One Day Internationals (ODIs) and T20 internationals. They accepted £3.8m in financial aid from the England and Wales Cricket Board, but the price for that was relegation.

It was thought that the offer of the Scriptures would be timely and that folk associated with the Club were in need of encouragement. Even those accustomed to success in the world of sport may face times of difficulty and disappointment.

In November the Branch presented three Badged Presentation Bibles for Sir Ian Botham (Chairman), the former first-class cricketer who represented England in 102 Test matches between 1974 and 1993, Mr David Harker (Chief Executive), and three-times Ashes-winner Mr Paul Collingwood (Club Captain). A native of County Durham, he had led his country to win the ICC World Twenty20 in 2010.

One hundred Badged New Testaments were provided for players and administration, support, ground and security staff.

Please pray that these Scriptures will be read and that they might achieve the purposes of God.

Kelvin Ashley

Durham Branch Chairman