Durham surge is blocked by Steel

DURHAM believed they could surpass Northamptonshire’s total of 145-9 in the Vitality Blast at the Banks Homes Riverside halfway through their innings.

- GRAHAM HARDCASTLE

But their visitors put up a particularly stubborn defence of their total and Durham only managed 138-8.

The Steelbacks’ fabulous start to the Blast season continued with a thrilling bowler-dominated seven-run win - a fifth straight victory, strengthening their grip atop the Central and West Group.

Durham, who host Lancashire Light tonight, finished on 138-8 and lost their third game in five. The seam of James Sales comfortably defended 14 off the last over and he finished with 2-10 from two.

Ben McKinney top-scored with 33 for Durham.

Captain Alex Lees said: “At the halfway point, we thought we could chase it. I think Dave (Willey) said, it was quite a challenging surface. We've had a couple now that we've probably not known what we were going to get.