118 from Nikhil Gorantla helped Northumberland to a 29-run win over Durham at Jesmond in the ECB National Counties Showcase fixtures – as first class counties get prepared for the Metro Bank One Day cup.
Durham skipper Alex Lees won the toss and elected to bowl under the cloudy sky of Newcastle a decision which looks a good one from the first over.
Paul Coughlin on his return to the first team after a side injury which has kept him out for around 8 weeks struck early, when Alastair Appleby feathered behind to Graham Clark for 0.
Clark, who kept for England schoolboys and during Durham’s trip to Zimbabwe was straight in the action, as Northumberland were 0/1 and Durham off to a positive start.
Despite an early strike for Durham, Northumberland built nicely as a 97-run partnership for the second wicket from Jack Jessop and Nikhil Gorantla saw the visitors to 98/2.
Gorantla brought his fifty up in delightful fashion hitting Brandon Glover to the boundary for 4, his half-century from 52 balls with 8 fours.
Liam Trevaskis brought into the attack in the 18th over, struck second ball bowling Jack Jessop for 38 as the Northumberland opener lost his off stump. He soon after had his second, when John Oswell was pinned lbw for 14.
Brandon Glover was brought back into the attack after his opening spell – and was into the action in his first over when Stuart Poynter hit out to backward point and was caught for a run-a-ball 10.
Ben Robinson was the next batter and he hit two maximums in the cemetery but some quick work in the covers from Jonathan Bushnell saw him depart for 28.
A four through cover point brought up Gorantla’s century from 111 balls with 14 fours but he fell soon after holing out to Paul Coughlin on the boundary for 118, as Luke Robinson claimed his first.
Robinson claimed another two dismissing George Darwood and Ollie McGee to return figures of 3/33 while Liam Trevaskis picked up 2/40, as Northumberland closed on 290/8.
In reply, Graham Clark hit 10 off the first over from Matthew Oswell but Durham lost Alex Lees in the second over hitting George Darwood straight to mid-off for 5.
Graham Clark looked strong with a 38 ball 40 with 5 fours and 1 six before he was trapped leg before to give Callum Fletcher his first as Durham.
Michael Jones hit out to long off as the visitors were 64/3 and in trouble needing a further 226 from 38 overs, Callum Fletcher with a second.
McKinney and Bushnell added 44 for the fourth wicket but McKinney was run out as he attempted to run a quick single – tripping in the middle of the pitch and departing for 35.
Liam Trevaskis joined Bushnell and the pair shared a 5th wicket stand of 100 as the academy graduates looked to take Durham to victory. Trevaskis hit 6 fours and 3 sixes as he scored a well-made 63 but was trapped lbw to Ollie McGee.
Bushnell was set for fifty looking at ease but fell 3 short of the milestone, feathering one behind as Max Williamson had Northumberland’s 6th,
Durham then lost Drissell and Coughlin and struggling at 241/8 and still needing 50.
Gibson (5) and Robinson (1) both fell cheaply as Durham were bowled out for 261.
George Darwood, Callum Fletcher, Max Williamson and Ollie McGee all claimed two wickets each for Northumberland.