RUSHWORTH’S 12 SEES DURHAM STORM HOME
Chris Rushworth took 12 wickets in the match to bowl Durham to a fourth victory of the Specsavers County Championship Division Two season after beating Sussex by 186 runs at Emirates Riverside.
The home side appeared to be in trouble after their first innings when they were bowled out for 103, but Rushworth dug his team out of trouble with an outstanding spell of eight for 51 before a brilliant hundred from Cameron Steel put Durham in command on day two when they posted 340.
Jon Lewis’ men set Sussex a daunting chase of 322, and the visitors were never able to threat as Rushworth dominated with the ball, claiming another four wickets.
Axar Patel wrapped up the tail in his final match for Durham with three for 27, allowing the home side to ease to the victory.
Durham began day three 201 runs ahead, although they lost Patel almost immediately as he played a loose shot against Danny Briggs and was caught by David Wiese. Steel maintained his form at the crease, notching his highest score at Emirates Riverside on his way to 150.
He shared a stand with Paul Collingwood of 79 to edge Durham’s lead towards the 300-run mark, before he fell to Tom Haines for 160, becoming the 19-year-old’s maiden first-class wicket.
The home side collapsed after lunch losing their final four wickets for four runs to be bowled out for 340, despite a season-best knock from Collingwood of 47.
Sussex lost Phil Salt in the first over of their reply as Rushworth burst through his defences to clean bowl the opener for a duck, while Matt Salisbury claimed Luke Wells in his first over.
Harry Finch came and went leaving a straight delivery from Rushworth, which reduced the visitors to 11 for three and allowed the seamer to claim his 10th wicket of the match.
Rushworth’s persistence continued to pay off as he bowled Michael Burgess for 22 before trapping Haines lbw for 40.
The home side seized the initiative to close in on the victory as Patel removed Ben Brown, while Salisbury claimed his second wicket of the innings tearing one through the gate of David Wiese.
Jofra Archer endured a miserable time at the crease at Chester-le-Street. He was bowled for a golden duck in the first innings, while his second attempt proved to be just as unsuccessful as he was run out by Michael Richardson after surviving an lbw shout.
Patel pinned Chris Jordan lbw before Ollie Robinson clipped the left-arm spinner straight to Steel to allow the home side to secure the win by a comfortable margin.