Result: Durham (209; Richardson 64, Harte 48; Morris 4/33) beat Worcestershire (82/4; Rushworth 2/28) by 9 runs on Duckworth/Lewis method
Durham have secured their first win in the Royal London One-Day Cup in the 2018 campaign, defeating the Worcestershire Rapids by nine runs via the Duckworth/Lewis method.
Michael Richardson scored a half-century to guide his team to a total of 209 after losing the toss, while Gareth Harte also impressed with 48. Charlie Morris claimed figures of 4-33 to give the visitors hope of earning their third win on the bounce in the competition.
However, a clatter of early wickets put the home side in command as Chris Rushworth, Matt Dixon and Nathan Rimmington struck, handing Tom Latham’s men the narrow victory
Durham were inserted by the visitors and were immediately pegged back in the first over as Josh Tongue removed Graham Clark lbw for four. Michael Richardson and Cameron Steel dug in to see off the opening burst and put on 50 for the second wicket before Steel was caught on the fence by Ross Whiteley off the bowling of Ed Barnard.
Latham made a brisk 21 off just 19 deliveries, only to be dismissed by a straight delivery from Patrick Brown.
Morris put the home side on the back foot with further inroads, removing Will Smith and Stuart Poynter in the space of three balls. Gareth Harte, making his List A debut, battled well with Richardson to guide Durham out of trouble.
Richardson seem well placed on 64 to kick on towards three figures, but he was caught on the boundary by Whiteley off the spin of Brett D’Oliveira. Ryan Pringle then followed from his first ball to leave the north east side 147-7.
Fortunately for Durham, the tail wagged as Rimmington and Rushworth provided valuable runs down the order. Although the end was to come abruptly as Morris returned to the attack to wrap up the innings, claiming career-best figures of 4-33.
Worcestershire’s reply began poorly as Daryl Mitchell edged a Rushworth delivery behind to Poynter in the first over. Travis Head and Tom Fell departed in quick succession as Durham continued their surge into the middle order. D’Oliveira scored three boundaries on the spin to stem the tide, but the Rapids then lost Joe Clarke for 17 when he was removed by Rimmington.
Cox scored his first boundary by edging the ball over the top of the slips. However, he quickly found his stride, finding his rhythm at the crease, blasting Harte over extra over for a six.
Due to the fall of early wickets, the Rapids had to bat with aggression to reach the Duckworth/Lewis target of 92 in the 15th over. Even their onslaught against Harte was not good enough, falling just short before the rain came and ended the contest.