By John Virr – 2nd X1 Scorer
Durham started the final day leading by 158 with 9 2nd innings wickets remaining and play began on time under a blue sky with a warm temperature.
Due to exams there was a change of wicket keeper and it was the replacement keeper, Noah Kelly who caught the first 2 wickets to fall – Borthwick for 83 made from 99 balls with 11 fours and a six and Symington without scoring. Durham now 158-3.
Wickets continued to fall with Bowman making 30 from 43 balls and Hogg 25 not out from only 11 balls and at lunch Durham were 246-7; 3 wickets for Jafer Chohan.
During the lunch interval Durham declared leaving Yorkshire 283 for victory from a minimum of 67 overs.
Noah Kelly and Will Luxton added 39 for the first wicket before the former was caught behind for 23 from 30 balls. Owen Smith made 3 before being caught at 3rd slip and Jawad Akhtar 22 from 32 but caught at slip. Yorkshire 80-3.
Throughout this Will Luxton remained steadfast and shortly before the tea interval he reached his half century from 63 balls with 6 fours and a six. At tea he was unbeaten on 57 with Matt Milnes 28 not out – 135-3 needing a further 148 for victory.
Milnes made 32 from 55 balls with 5 fours before being bowled by Hogg – he and Luxton had added 64 in 85 balls, however 144-4 became 171-5 as Chohan was caught behind for a run a ball 13.
With the Eastern terrace area filling up with children and families awaiting their Friday night games Hishaam Khan joined Luxton with 112 required and around 30 overs available. Luxton, with a mixture of shots reached his century with consecutive maximums into the aforementioned Eastern terrace from 108 deliveries with 13 fours and 3 sixes. Khan had been somewhat of a “sleeping partner” in the partnership (9 from 16) but finished with his 2nd half century of the game from 43 balls hitting the winning runs as Yorkshire won by 5 wickets. Khan 51 no and Luxton 127 not out from 133 balls.
Yorkshire travel to Billericay to play Essex next – play to commence Tuesday 13th May for a 3 day friendly.
