Durham vs Northamptonshire report- Durham fall agonisingly short in low-scoring clash

The Steelbacks claimed this low-scoring cross-group clash to secure a fifth straight win and strengthen their position atop the Central and West Group.

They were particularly impressive in defence as North Group side Durham - 138 for eight - lost their third game in five. The seam of James Sales comfortably defended 14 off the last over and finished with two for 10 from two. Ben McKinney top-scored with 33 for Durham.

Northamptonshire’s 145 for nine saw Justin Broad top-score with 36 off 32 balls. Left-arm spinner Callum Parkinson was excellent with three for 19. Pacy Kasey Aldridge also struck twice and claimed three catches.

Reflecting on the game, skipper Alex Lees said: “At the halfway point, we thought we could chase it. I think Dave (Willey) said, it was quite a challenging surface. We’ve had a couple now that we’ve probably not known what we were going to get.

“Bitterly disappointed. There were regular wickets, and some old-school T20 cricket was probably needed and not the crash, bang, wallop that we’re used to now.

“I think had a more experienced player got a run-a-ball 50, it might have been enough. “The batters probably felt like they couldn’t access the boundaries that easily. 

“It’s obviously a big ground here, and you have to try and skin it a different way. But we just didn’t have enough at the back end.”