Incredible comeback for Riversiders

JAMES Weighell was in seventh heaven after Durham pulled off an unexpected but thrilling County Championship Division Two 46-run victory over Leicestershire.

The Riversiders had looked set for a second defeat in three four-day games when their visitors required just 148 to win in 46 overs at Chester-le-Street.

Leicester seamer Gavin Griffiths had taken 6-39, including five wickets in 24 balls, to trigger a Durham collapse from a healthy 323-3 to 345-8.

However, Weighell made 38 to take Durham to 403 all out, leaving the visitors with what seemed a reasonable a target to chase in the spring sunshine.

Seamer Weighell then took a first-class best of 7-32 to bowl Leicestershire out for 101 as they missed out on a first Championship win since September 2016.

Durham had never before won a match after following-on since being admitted to the County Championship in 1992.

Weighell said: “It was a funny one really. I didn’t expect to bat as soon as I did.

“Then to get in with a few wickets falling wasn’t really easing my nerves as well. We managed to get a score, which we knew was a chance with the way the pitch was behaving later on with our batting.

“Even with their batting in the first innings there were a few shooting low and nipping around.

“We knew if we could get something on the board to bowl at we could have a good chance of going at it and luckily here we are now, winning by about 50 runs. It was ideal in the end.”

Weighell added: “We were ecstatic when we got in the changing rooms and I haven’t had many feelings like that.”

Durham coach Jon Lewis said: “I think from the end of day two to get anything out of the game we needed two or three guys to be pretty exceptional.

“There were a couple with the bat to start with.

“There was some good stuff from the top three. James Weighell’s efforts with the ball today were truly outstanding.”

The home side made a solid start to the day as Will Smith notched his 50 in the second over with two boundaries off Ben Raine.

Smith combined with Cameron Steel for a century partnership as the opener continued his solid work from day three.

However, Steel was prevented from reaching three figures, falling for 86 lbw to Raine.