August 11, 2024

Colin Ackermann keeps Durham alive as Hampshire Thrashed

Veteran Colin Ackermann’s resilient 96 and Neil Wagner’s all-round brilliance condemned Hampshire to their second defeat. Durham posted 257 (Ackermann 96, Kelly 3-48) and bowled out Hampshire for just 113 (Middleton 26, Coughlin 3-41), securing a dominant 144-run victory.

Colin Ackermann’s resilient 96 and former New Zealand pacer Neil Wagner’s stellar all-round performance in his first match since retiring from Tests earlier this year kept Durham’s Metro Bank One-Day Cup hopes alive with a commanding 144-run victory over Hampshire at Gosforth.

Ackermann spearheaded Durham’s recovery, lifting them from 183 for 7 to 257, smashing five sixes in his 98-ball innings. Debutant Wagner contributed a vital 33 runs and then impressed with the ball, taking 2 for 18 in six overs, as Hampshire collapsed to 113 all out. Despite entering the day second in Group A with four wins from five games, Hampshire suffered their second defeat. At the same time, Durham secured their third win in six matches, bolstering their chances of a top-three finish and knockout qualification. Seamer Paul Coughlin also made a significant impact, claiming three wickets.

Neil Wagner, 38, has signed a short-term contract with Durham for the remainder of the season, marking his first appearance since his 64th and final Test against South Africa in February.

Despite a strong start with the ball and in the field, Hampshire couldn’t maintain their grip as Durham rallied to post a competitive total on a challenging pitch at South Northumberland Cricket Club.

Dom Kelly’s Early Breakthroughs and Hampshire’s Fielding Set Up Durham’s Fightback; Ackermann and Wagner’s Stand Powers Durham to Victory

England Under-19s quick Dom Kelly impressed with figures of 3 for 48 from 10 overs, removing both Durham openers. Michael Jones edged behind, and Ben McKinney was sharply caught at cover by captain Nick Gubbins, who had opted to bowl first. Durham skipper Alex Lees also fell, top-edging a sweep to be caught behind Felix Organ’s off-spin, leaving the hosts struggling at 56 for 3 in the 16th over.

Hampshire’s sharp fielding added to their strong start. After Nick Gubbins’ sharp catch, Scott Borthwick was run out at the striker’s end by Kyle Abbott’s accurate throw from square leg, capitalizing on the former England player’s hesitation in taking a single.

The dismissals of Bas de Leede, Hayden Mustard—both bowled by Abbott and Kelly—and Coughlin further tilted the balance in Hampshire’s favor, leaving Durham at 183 for seven in the 42nd over.

However, Durham’s fightback was equally impressive on a bright but windy day. In just under eight overs, Ackermann and Wagner forged a crucial eighth-wicket partnership of 62 runs. The left-handed Wagner played a vital 27-ball knock, striking the ball cleanly while providing solid support to Ackermann, who paced his innings to perfection.

Ackermann reached his half-century off just 50 balls, showcasing his power with five sixes, including three impressive strikes down the ground off seamers. His innings ended just shy of a deserved century. Abbott’s bowling figures highlighted Durham’s resurgence; the former South African seamer conceded only 11 runs in his first eight overs but leaked 23 runs in his final two.

In reply, Hampshire made a promising start with openers Gubbins and Fletcha Middleton putting on 40 runs in just eight overs. However, Wagner, known for his resilience, turned the tide. After Coughlin had Gubbins caught behind, Wagner dismissed Middleton and Tom Prest—both caught behind while driving—as Hampshire stumbled to 45 for 3 by the 11th over.

The visitors’ hopes dimmed further as Coughlin made inroads, dismissing Toby Albert caught behind and Felix Organ caught at slip. Ben Brown’s dismissal, drilled to mid-off by de Leede, left Hampshire at 69 for 6 in the 17th over.

With their position precarious, Hampshire’s fightback was brief. Off-spinner George Drissell took two of the last four wickets to fall. At the same time, Daniel Hogg’s delivery saw Joseph Eckland brilliantly caught at backward point by a diving McKinney. De Leede sealed the victory by bowling Brad Wheal in the 27th over.

Lewis Goldsworthy Leads Somerset to Victory at The Top of The Group A Clash.

Group leaders Somerset chased down Worcestershire’s total of 263 with 33 balls to spare in a professional display. Somerset finished at 267 for 5, driven by a solid 95 from Goldsworthy and 70 from Rew. Worcestershire’s innings, anchored by Taylor’s 73, fell short despite Green’s 3 for 58. Somerset secured a five-wicket victory, maintaining their top spot in the group.

Lewis Goldsworthy led Somerset to a crucial victory with a commanding 95, helping them enhance their chances of reaching the knockout stages of the Metro Bank One-Day Cup with a five-wicket win over Worcestershire at Taunton.

After losing the toss, Worcestershire were bowled out for 263 in 47.3 overs. Tom Taylor bolstered a faltering batting effort with a spirited 73 off 65 balls, including seven fours and three sixes. Ben Green took 3 for 58 in a disciplined bowling performance.

In response, Somerset chased down the target with 5.3 overs to spare, finishing at 267 for 5. Goldsworthy struck his 95 off 108 balls, featuring nine fours and a six. At the same time, James Rew added a valuable 70, and Andy Umeed contributed 44. Left-arm spinner Fateh Singh achieved career-best List A figures of 4 for 52 in a valiant effort for Worcestershire.

Worcestershire’s openers, Ed Pollock and Gareth Roderick, attacked Somerset’s opening bowlers confidently, advancing the score to 55 in the eighth over. However, Pollock’s aggressive innings ended when he lofted a catch to deep square off Ned Leonard, departing for 30.

Roderick appeared solid, reaching 35 off 41 balls. Still, his innings ended with a careless shot off Ogborne, leading to his dismissal at fine leg. With Worcestershire at 68 for 2 in the 13th over, they needed to rebuild.

Jake Libby and Rob Jones were expected to stabilize the innings, but both fell to poor shots off Green. Jones, on 14, mistimed a catch to mid-wicket, while Libby, having reached 24, edged a short ball to Goldsworthy at point.

Rehaan Edavalath’s simple return catch to Jack Leach at 117 for 5 further deepened Worcestershire’s predicament. Despite hitting four fours, Ethan Brookes followed the pattern by advancing down the pitch to Goldsworthy and lofting a catch to Leach at mid-off, leaving Worcestershire struggling.

In the same over, Singh, on four, was dropped by Umeed at short extra cover. He capitalized on the chance, hitting a six off Goldsworthy before being bowled for 14 while attempting to cut off-spinner Archie Vaughan’s third delivery.

Taylor responded with a counterattack, clearing the ropes against Kasey Aldridge and Goldsworthy. Tom Hinley also joined in, smashing successive short balls from Aldridge for a spirited 32 off just 18 balls before skying a catch to Ogborne at long-on off Green.

Tommy Sturgess was run out in a mix-up with Taylor, who reached an impressive half-century off 53 balls before becoming the last man out.

Somerset’s chase started poorly when George Thomas was dismissed for a duck, shouldering arms to Taylor’s inswinger, who clipped the stumps. However, Goldsworthy and Umeed quickly stabilized the innings, ensuring Somerset’s victory remained assured mainly.

Goldsworthy and Umeed added 96 for the second wicket in 18.4 overs before Umeed was caught at deep square for 44 while attempting to slog-sweep Singh in his first over. Goldsworthy soon reached his fifty off 63 balls, having struck six fours.

Rew contributed with two stunning drives through extra cover and straight down the ground. Goldsworthy cleared the ropes at mid-wicket off Hinley, bringing up their half-century partnership in ten overs.

In the 31st over, Rew hit four consecutive fours off Hinley to reach his fifty off 43 balls, marking his fourth half-century in seven Group A matches. His stand with Goldsworthy reached three figures off 88 balls.

Rew was dismissed for 50 after attempting a reverse sweep and being caught at cover. Singh struck twice in the 39th over, dismissing Goldsworthy with a full delivery and Sean Dickson, who was caught at slip.

By then, Somerset only needed 45 runs to win. Vaughan’s rapid, unbeaten 31 off 24 balls sealed a comfortable victory for Somerset.