Robinson blasts Durham to opening One Day Cup victory

A BRILLIANT century from Ollie Robinson and an excellent all-round effort from Will Rhodes led Durham to a 51-run victory over Sussex in the Metro Bank One Day Cup.

- BY THOMAS RIDLEY, ECB REPORTERS NETWORK

Robinson's counterattacking century, which was his first List A ton for Durham, supported by a gutsy innings from Rhodes fired Durham to a total of 310 for seven from their 50 overs, with Archie Lenham the pick of the Sussex bowlers.

Sussex's chase of 311 got off to a poor start as they found themselves 86 for four at one point, but middle order runs from Danny Lamb dragged his side back in the game.

However, Rhodes secured Durham the opening day victory with his first List A five-wicket haul.

Robinson said: "The pitch suited our attack pretty well, it was good to get a score on the board and the required rate was about 8's for the majority of their innings.

"Without the platform set by Will Rhodes and Emilio Gay we wouldn't have been able to play as freely in the middle and it just worked out really well, we dug in and did what we needed to do.

"It's nice to have the change of format, something to get your teeth into and there's not as much pressure as a T20 batting in this format, you can let there be a few dots.

"We talk about people standing up in different points and Rhodesy (Will Rhodes) has had a tricky year. To get a five-fer and 96 is a pretty special game for him."

Sussex won the toss at a sunny Gosforth and elected to bowl first and they got off to a great start as Alex Lees edged a Fynn Hudson-Prentice delivery behind to Charlie Tear in the opening over.