‘Awesome’ Ben hailed by opener

Batsman Graham Clark was thrilled as Durham Jets made it three wins in a row in the Vitality T20 Blast last night,.

The opener fired 55 in a seven-wicket victory over Worcestershire Rapids

“I’m enjoying my cricket at the moment. It’s coming out nicely,” said Clark, who opened with Stokes (43).

“I think it’s quite easy when you have opening partners like Ben Stokes and Tom Latham.

“Over the last four or five matches, Tom has showed has class and now Ben has (last night). It takes a lot pressure of me and allows me to go and play with a little bit of freedom.

“It’s nice to what these guys go about their business – I kind of want to watch them bat from the best seat in the house.

“Having Stokes, who obviously bats, bowls and fields, his 4-16 and 40 odd with the bat was the difference tonight. He’s an awesome player.

“I think it’s crucial to get off to a good start in the powerplay. In the past we’ve struggled losing too many wickets and have had to claw the innings back.

“This year we’ve managed not to lose many wickets in the powerplay and it has allowed us to build a platform to go big at the end. Hopefully it’s a sign of things to come and we can keep progressing from there.

“We’ve played some good teams. We’ve beaten the two finalists from last year and to beat top of the group tonight it’s standing us in good stead.

“Confidence is sky high at the moment and hopefully we can keep winning in this competition.”