Graham Clark & Scott Steel notched centuries in a mammoth opening stand as Durham’s Second XI started their season with a 50-over friendly win at Essex.
The pair put on 212 in 34 overs for the first wicket, setting Alan Walker’s side on their way to an impressive total of 324 in 50 overs.
Early wickets set the hosts back & a 145-run stand for the fifth wicket wasn’t enough to claw their way back into the game.
Ryan Pringle closed out the innings with three wickets to seal the win ahead of today’s three-day friendly.
Clark & Steel were the standout performers, though, in a highly impressive opening stand in which the pair dominated from the outset.
Send 'em, @scottsteel102
Four monster hits in Steel's century pic.twitter.com/TiM8g2GShJ
— Durham Cricket ? (@DurhamCricket) April 9, 2019
Steel was first to three figures, taking 97 balls to get there with four big sixes to go with four boundaries, while Clark’s came up in 98 deliveries with 8x4s & 2x6s.
Pringle chipped in with an unbeaten 33 off 18 balls as they set an imposing target.
Josh Coughlin removed the experienced Varun Chopra in the first ball of the reply, Oliver Gibson removed fellow opener Paul Walter & further wickets by Nathan Rimmington & a run-out left the hosts at 105/4.
Centurion Feroze Khushi put on a big stand with Josh Rymell but with the required rate climbing, the pair fell within three overs of each other & Pringle’s wickets ensured Durham walked away with the victory.