Saturday saw a vital win for Durham Dynamos as they moved top in Group B of the Yorkshire Bank 40. A win which puts the Dynamos in pole position ahead of the twenty20 break.
Durham Captain Mark Stoneman called correctly at the toss on a blustery day at Emirates Durham ICG and inserted the Hampshire Royals.
The decision looked to be a good one as the Dynamos kept the Royals scoring rate down. It was seamer Chris Rushworth that would strike first, removing both openers, the first two of his five wickets in the innings.
With Hampshire wickets falling at regular intervals, the Royals needed someone to steady the ship. Liam Dawson proved to be the thorn in the Dynamos side. With a relatively slow start the Hampshire batsmen exploded into life and with two huge sixes down the ground he brought up his 50. Dawson eventually fell for 69 from the bowling of Rushworth.
The damage was done for the Dynamos and as five wicket hero Rushworth led the team off the Durham batsmen knew on a slower Emirates Durham ICG pitch the target wouldn’t be a walk in the park.
The Dynamos innings got off to the worst possible start with new Hampshire recruit Sohail Tanvir bowling captain Mark Stoneman in the first over. Scott Borthwick and Phil Mustard sought to keep wickets in hand and the scoring rate slowed.
Looking increasingly comfortable at the crease Phil Mustard brought up his fifty from only 55 balls, with some classy strokes and was given support from Borthwick at the other end.
Man of the Match Phil Mustard eventually fell for 92, top edging a Tanvir bouncer and caught at fine leg. In an innings that came from only 89 balls Mustard put the Dynamos firmly in the driving seat. New man Collingwood didn’t hang around and Scott Borthwick began to let loose as a Dynamos win looked increasingly likely. The Leg spinning allrounder was caught at long on for 80 from 82 balls.
Gordon Muchall and Collingwood then saw the Dynamos home for a six wicket victory.
The one day win sets up the Dynamos for their first Friends Life t20 campaign which begins on Friday at Emirates Durham ICG as the lads face Lancashire Lightning.