Tongue twister turns tables on Durham as Notts up and running

ENGLAND fast bowler Josh Tongue produced a match-turning spell as Nottinghamshire won their opener in the Rothesay County Championship Division One campaign.

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Colin Ackermann's second century of the match was not enough to stave off defeat for Durham at Trent Bridge.

South African-born Netherlands international Ackermann made 124 to go with his first-innings 116 as Durham, who had trailed by 201 on first innings, looked to emerge with a draw.

But Tongue, on a Nottinghamshire debut delayed by a full season because of injuries following his 2023 move from Worcestershire, shattered that ambition by taking five for 66, somehow conjuring four wickets in 12 deliveries from a ball right at the end of its 80-over match lifespan.

Durham lost their last five wickets for 21 runs, leaving Nottinghamshire needing 89 to win from 40 overs remaining in the match, a task they completed for the loss of two wickets, skipper Haseeb Hameed making 39 and Joe Clarke 35.

Tongue's achievement came after Nottinghamshire's other debut-making fast bowler, Australian international Fergus O'Neill, had taken five for 81 in the first innings. Tongue also made a career-best 55 with the bat in Nottinghamshire's first innings.