DURHAM DESPAIR AT THIRD STRAIGHT LOSS
REECE THE STAR AS DERBYSHIRE CLAIM DRAMATIC VICTORY WITH TWO BALLS TO SPARE
Durham Jets yesterday slipped to a third successive defeat in their Royal London One-Day Cup campaign, with just two balls left.
Luis Reece overcame a damaged ankle to lead Derbyshire to victory, with his highest List A score of 92 from 107 balls, despite batting with a runner.
Former Derbyshire seamer Nathan Rim ming ton took three quick wickets to give Durham hope, but it was not enough to save the Jets from a third consecutive North Group defeat.
All-rounder Reece also took two wickets and, although skipper Tom Latham top scored with 66, Durham’s 272-8 was not enough as Gary Wilson (40) and an unbeaten 42 from Alex Hughes saw the hosts home.
Derbyshire’s bowlers settled after Ravi Rampaul went for 13 in the second over and Matt Critchley sent down three wides in his first to prevent Durham getting away.
A direct hit by Wayne Madsen from point ran out Cameron Steel and though Graham Clark and Michael Richardson passed 40, they both fell trying to force the pace.
Clark was bowled by Critchley and Richardson under-edged a pull at Olivier before Reece’s consistent line forced Will Smith to edge a drive and Stuart Poynter to play across a full-length ball.
Derbyshire’s disciplined display restricted Latham to only three fours in a 67-ball 50 and, although he pulled Olivier for six, Durham’s chance of a challenging total ended when he failed to clear deep midwicket.
Chris Rush worth hit Critch ley for consecutive six es and Rimmington pulled Rampaul over the ropes, but Durham’s total looked under par on a true pitch in sunny conditiona.
That was reinforced by the way Ben Slater and Billy Godleman started before Matt Dixon bowled Slater for 24, although he stayed out as a runner for Reece, who had been hit on the ankle while bowling.
Both should have been back in the pavilion quickly, but Poynter spilled an edge off Rushworth when Reece was on six, a pivotal moment. Godleman reached 50 from 79 balls before Reece completed his 50 by sweeping George Harding for his sixth four.
Durham sensed an opening when Godleman played around a good-length ball from Rimmington, who struck again in his next over when Madsen was caught behind and Critchley chopped on three balls later.
Reece moved into the 90s but played on to Harding to leave the game in the balance, with Derbyshire needing 81 from the last 10 overs.
But Wilson and Hughes played positively to add 80 as Derbyshire sealed a second victory with two balls to spare.