Durham boys’ under 16’s progressed into the semi-final of the ECB County Cup with a 34 run victory over Leicestershire at Cropston; William Hampson starred with bat and ball, scoring 32 runs before taking 4-51.
The Foxes won the toss, choosing to field first but failed to start well as Durham made it to 92 without loss within 14 overs. Devarsh Shah dismissed both openers in the following three overs, Callum Gaffney top scored with 46 as fellow opener George Fishwick scored 43.
Shah took his third wicket in as many overs, having Robbie Bowman caught cheaply to leave Durham 105 for three. Ali Farooq took the next two wickets for Leicestershire; Luke Symington was caught on 19 before Brett Hutchinson was pinned for four.
Keshav Sthanakyiya then claimed his first of three wickets, Rohan Vagadia was caught on 12 with Durham 157 for six. Joe Twiddy and Hampson led the recovery for the D’s, sharing a 52-run stand before Sthanakyiya had both batters stumped with Twiddy scoring 37.
Durham scored just 19 runs for their final four wickets finishing on 228 all out from 43 overs. Oliver Hull claimed the penultimate wicket for the Foxes before Charlie Burdon was run out.
Henry Sherwood claimed Durham’s opening wicket in the eight over with Leicestershire on 38. Freddie Lower claimed Durham’s second, an important one, having Divyeash Vaseeharan caught by Twiddy for 32, reducing the midlands side to 57 for two.
Leicestershire enjoyed a partnership of 69 before Haampson took his opening wicket, having Freddie St John stumped for 30 in the 28th over. Charlie Burdon claimed Durham’s fourth scalp just three overs later.
Hampson claimed his second stumping in the following over, another vital one with Joshua Fitzpatrick departing for 46. Hampson took two wickets in the 34th over to leave the hosts reeling on 150 for seven.
Leicestershire fought back; their eighth wicket partnership was worth 37 before Rohan Vagadia took two wickets in his only over to push Durham towards victory. Freddie Lower completed a Durham victory in the following over to bowl Leicestershire out for 194.
Durham will face Yorkshire in the semi-final of the ECB Under 16 County Cup on Sunday 3rd September 2023 at Norton Cricket Club.