Durham put to the sword by ace Potts

LANCASHIRE Thunder produced a gutsy performance in the field to defend 140 to beat Durham by 18 runs at the Bank Homes Riverside and secure their first victory in the 2025 Vitality Blast.

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The odds were against Ellie Threlkeld’s side when Durham were 61 without loss after eight overs but Grace Potts took four for 33 to derail their pursuit.

Threlkeld produced a brilliant stumping to remove New Zealand legend Suzie Bates off Potts for 49 before England's Sophie Ecclestone took two wickets in four balls to end the match.

In the first innings, Lancashire Thunder recovered from 76 for five in the 14th over to reach a total that seemed no better than par at best, Threlkeld making 48 and Ailsa Lister clubbing a 23 ball 42 not out.

Lancashire's powerplay was a particular triumph for Durham's Grace Thompson, who caught Tilly Kesteven at midwicket off Trudy Johnson for 11 and then took two wickets in successive legal deliveries to reduce the visitors to 18 for three in the fourth over.