Killeen ton inspires U14s’ tour success

Durham Under-14 boys headed south to King’s College, Taunton, for a fivematch challenge this week.

First up, Durham enjoyed a fine seven-wicket victory over Kent as Edward Brown (3-19 in eight overs) and Luke Husband (3-23 in 10 overs) held sway.

Kent were reduced to 155 all out in 42.2 overs, with Toby Raj making 26 and Liam McGroarty 24. Ewan Jenkins, Tristan Alderson, Joel Selway and Jake Pratt added to Brown and Husband’s bowling efforts.

Despite losing Pratt for 12, Durham eased to victory in 24 overs as Mitchell Killeen fired 13 fours in a run-a-ball 68 and Tom Bolam had eight fours and a six in a 29-ball 45.

The second match saw Lancashire outgun Durham by 76 runs.

Dylan Henshall (45) and Arav Shetty (38) led Lancashire to 194 all out in 43.4 overs as Selway stole the show, taking 4-12 in 8.4 overs. Killeen snatched 2-27, with Husband, Bolam and Pratt also striking. Durham, 162 early on, were dismissed for 118 in reply, despite an excellent 40 off 27 balls from Bolam, with nine fours. Lochlann Young-Hall added 18 and Tom Ward 14, with Tom Grundy snaffling 3-29.

Durham enjoyed their best performance so far yesterday, outgunning Nottinghamshire by 86 runs.

Killeen hit a memorable 112 off 134 balls, with 16 fours, to lead Durham to 244-9, backed by Young-Hall (40), Pratt (24) and Bolam (16). Zain Ali took 3-12, while Fateh Singh grabbed 3-14.

In response, Qundeel Haider top-scored on 44 as Notts fell for 158 in 43.3 overs.

Jenkins plundered 3-17 and Selway snatched 3-31, with Alderson and Husband also striking.

The tour finishes off with games against Cheshire today and Northants tomorrow, again at Taunton.

Durham Under-17 girls’ County Championship clash with Cheshire at Kimblesworth was abandoned because of rain last Friday.

Durham were bowled out for 80, with Layla Tipton making 17 and Bailey Wanless 14, before the visitors, giving a revised target of 53 in 20 overs, only reaching 7-0 before the weather forced an early finish.