RECORD BREAKER Gibbs innings sees Durham ground the Falcons

RECORD- breaker Herschelle Gibbs led Durham to a convincing eight- wicket Twenty20 win over Derbyshire Falcons at the Emirates ICG last night.

But the South African ace, who recorded the county’s highest- ever T20 score, insisted the victory was a team effort.

Gibbs built up the momentum on his way to an undefeated 83 from 58 deliveries in a knock which included nine fours and three sixes, and beats the previous record of 80 set by New Zealander Ross Taylor two years ago.

But he was quick to share the credit with his team- mates, particularly the bowling attack which restricted the visitors to 1317 from their 20 overs.

“I think the lads set the tone up front with the ball,” he said.

“I think from the off, the first couple of balls, you always felt you were in the game.

“It’s so vital that you start well either with the ball or the bat and the guys did that wonderfully.”

At one point it looked like tight bowling from the hosts would keep the Falcons to an even smaller total.

However, ex- Durham player Garry Park hit 29 off 20 balls, to remain at the crease at the close of the innings, as Derbyshire rallied with 45 runs from the last four overs.

Having won the toss and electing to bat in muggy conditions, Derbyshire got off to a good start with 10 runs coming from their opening over.

But they struggled to keep up that pace as Graham Onions took 1- 2 in his first two overs, removing Ross Whiteley. Chris Rushworth also got in on the early wickets, claiming the wicket of opener Wes Durston.

Spinners Scott Borthwick and Gareth Breese tied down the Derbyshire batsmen in the middle overs, and even with their late flourish the visitors total of 131 always looked within reach.

Gibbs admitted the home side’s bowling display gave him and his fellow batsmen an ideal opportunity to time their innings and he and fellow opener Phil Mustard did so with cold, calm calculation.

“Most of the time, when you get 120 odd to chase down, you should get there, so I think the bowlers won the game for us in the first innings,” said Gibbs.

“Myself and Colonel ( Phil Mustard) batted well up and set the tone with the bat so it was a good clinical performance.”

Gibbs felt his 70- run opening stand with Mustard played a big part in seeing their side over the winning line, and says the Dynamos need more of those between now and the end of the campaign.

He added: “In any team I’ve played in you usually target two 50- run partnerships or one partnership of 70 or 80.

“If you do that you are going to be in with a shout of winning the game 90 per cent of the time, so the more times you can do that the better.”

Durham’s overseas star was keen to play down his own performance, but did admit to enjoying his time out in the middle, and the fact that he remained undefeated at the close.

“It’s all about the team not records,” he said. “However, it’s always nice to get runs and to see the boys over the line.

“Hopefully there’s a few more days like this ahead.”

Last night’s victory leaves Durham one point behind second- placed Nottinghamshire, who they play on Friday night, and two behind leaders Yorkshire.

And Gibbs says it’s still all to play for as Dynamos chase a place in the last eight.

He said: “Our group’s quite tight with no one really getting away. There’s still four games and anything can happen.

“We have got to keep on persevering and try to do the basics the best we can. If we do that there’s no reason why we can’t qualify.”