By John Virr – 2nd X1 Scorer
Having had our first Group T20 washed out this was effectively the start of our campaign to, at least, reach Finals day at Wormsley in the middle of July.
Skipper, Will Luxton lost the toss and Durham elected to bat first. George Hill struck in the 2nd over of the day having the Durham skipper, McKinney caught at mid off by Shan Masood. Not to be outdone Ben Cliff bowled Whitfield in the next over however Hill had Scott Borthwick caught at mid on and Durham were 20-3.
This became 27-4 when McAlindon was stumped by Jonny Tattersall off Yash Vagadia. Killeen and Bushnell added 19 before the latter was caught in the deep by Hill from the bowling of Alex Wade. Killeen was then bowled by Jafer Chohan as he became the first of 3 victims for the leggie and Durham were reduced to 76-8 in the 15th over.
George Drissell produced some late resistance (and big hitting) as he made 62 from only 37 balls with 3 fours and 4 sixes – Durham closed on 135-9.
Masood and Finlay Bean opened and added 25 before the former was caught at mid-wicket. James Wharton made 12 from 7 balls but was caught from a “steepler” by keeper Poynter and Bean was taken at extra cover (18 from 8 balls). Tattersall made 10 from 12 before he was bowled but Vagadia 32 not out at a run a ball and Will Luxton 45 not out from 24 balls guided us to a 6 wicket victory with 23 balls to spare.
Game 2
Batting first Yorkshire made 4 changes – out went Masood, Wade, Vagadia and Cliff to be replaced by Revis, Fisher, Bess and Fernando.
Wharton got us off to a “flier” making 32 from 12 (3×4;3×6) before he and our first 3 wickets to fall were all caught at cover – Hill for 2 and Duke for 22 from 13. Revis made 40 from 26 balls but was caught at mid off and it was Luxton, again, who made the biggest contribution with 52 from 32 balls including 3 fours and 3 sixes.
Yorkshire finished on 198-8.
Matthew Fisher opened the attack and struck in his 2nd over having McKinney caught at mid on but Durham had reached 56 without further loss before Chohan struck – he bowled his 4 overs in one spell taking a further 3 wickets to finish with 3-21.
Only Scott Borthwick offered any great resistance making 40 from 32 but Durham closed on 143-7 – a 55 run victory for Yorkshire.
