The Dynamos have been defeated by 25 runs by the Lancashire Lightning this afternoon at Old Trafford despite the best efforts of Scott Borthwick who top-scored for Durham.
The Durham Lancashire Emirates Trophy was again up for grabs as the Dynamos travelled south to take on the Lightning with the home side winning the toss and electing to bat.
The Lightning got off to a flyer with opener Karl Brown taking a fancy to the Durham attack finding 6 fours in the first five overs as the his side progressed to 42-0 after 5.
The Dynamos were struggling to contain the Lancashire batsmen who were enjoying the warm conditions out in the middle.
Brown made his way to 50 in just the 8th over, taking just 36 balls to do so. However two overs later Durham finally got their man and he departed for 62 (off 42 balls) in the 10th over with Smith taking the wicket as Brown found the hands of Stokes after attempting another drive down the ground.
Scott Borthwick then came into the attack and claimed the wicket of the other Lancashire opener Stephen Moore in the 11th over with Richardson taking the catch to dismiss him for 18.
Borthwick then struck again to get the third wicket 4 overs later when Croft also picked out Richardson leaving Lancashire 112-3 in the 15th.
Despite a couple of wickets, the Lightning’s Simon Katich was proving hard to stop as he continued to add runs to his sides tally, punishing any short balls that came his way from the Durham attack.
The Durham bowlers clawed their way back with some tidy spells after Lancashire started quickly and Chris Rushworth claimed two late wickets firstly getting Prince for 17 with Pringle taking the catch followed by the wicket of Cross for 14 on the final ball of Lancashire’s innings.
Simon Katich finished the not out batsmen making 40 from 38 balls with four boundaries as Lancashire finished 170-5 setting the Dynamos 171 for a win.
The Dynamos run chase got off to an unlucky start after skipper Mark Stoneman was the victim of a superb one handed diving catch by Kerrigan to be dismissed for 7 in the 3rd over.
Phil Mustard again looked in good rhythm after his t20 clinic on Friday night and he batted out the first five overs to again start well. However Lancashire got the danger man in the 6th over with Mustard hitting straight to Prince to depart for 24 from 21 balls with Ali the wicket taker leaving Durham 36-2.
Borthwick and Smith then tried to amp the run rate up and put on 28 before Smith went down the ground and found the hands of Croft to depart for 8 leaving Durham 67-3 at the half way mark.
Big hitter Ben Stokes then came to the crease and he and Borthwick found some rhythm, putting on 38 until Stokes picked out Cross to depart for 8 and Durham in a bit of trouble and behind the run rate at 98-4.
Borthwick continued to add to his tally and brought up his half century in style with a huge six down the ground to give Durham a glimmer of hope to reach the required target.
Borthwick and Gordon Muchall persisted at the crease but the required run rate was creeping up each ball and when they needed 49 off the final three overs there needed to be some magic for Durham to pull off a win.
Borthwick tried his best but when he looked to go long he fell short with the ball finding its way into the hands of Brown with Ali taking the wicket in the 19th over. It was a superb knock from the Dynamos number three after making 62 from 51 (3 fours and 2 sixes).
Despite the best efforts of Gordon Muchall (27 from 23 balls), the Dynamos batted out their 20 overs but fell 25 runs short to give the Lightning their second win in the Emirates Durham Lancashire Trophy matches.
The Dynamos next face Nottinghamshire on Friday night at Trent Bridge.