Durham Dynamos maintained their hopes of progression in the Friends Life t20 with a nine-wicket demolition of Leicestershire Foxes at Emirates Durham ICG on Sunday
The Dynamos restricted the visitors to just 116 in their allotted 20 overs, and then cruised home for their fourth victory of the campaign with 6.4 overs to spare.
Gareth Breese and Ben Stokes took two wickets apiece, while Phil Mustard and Herschelle Gibbs’ opening stand of 82 set the Dynamos well on the way to victory.
Graham Onions bowled economically conceding just 14 runs from his allotted four overs, and he was aided with the new ball by Chris Rushworth (0-21).
Abdul Razzaq looked to give the Foxes early impetus, but the dismissals of Josh Cobb, Greg Smith and Ramnaresh Sarwan – who was superbly run out by Johann Myburgh – in quick succession put paid to any hopes of an imposing total.
Breese and Scott Borthwick (1-19) kept scoring to a minimum, and despite a big six from Matthew Boyce, Leicestershire could only muster 66 from the final 10 overs.
Gibbs, and particularly Mustard raced away, with the duo scoring more boundaries in the opening seven overs than the Foxes managed in their entire innings.
Mustard smashed six fours and three maximums as he cruised to his 13th domestic t20 half-century, but was dismissed to his very next delivery, LBW to Cobb.
Once Mustard had departed with 32 runs required, Stokes joined Gibbs and the pair cantered to victory.
Gibbs hit five fours and two maximums to remain unbeaten on 49 off 34 deliveries, while Stokes (15 not out) finished the game with a straight six into the crowd.
At the close of play, Mustard said: “T20 is all about consistency, if we can get into a bit of a run and get that combination between bat and ball it will be key to our performance.
“Wickets are the key in t20, they had Razzaq at one end, but we kept taking them at the other which built up the pressure.
“You have to go out there and be positive, no matter what you are chasing and not get yourself in a rot.”
With regards to other results, Mustard added: “We can’t just let it fly by, we have to go out and do our job. We said we need to win four games out of six, and hopefully we can have two more positive results.”
The Dynamos next home game is Sunday 8 July when they face Lancashire Lightning (2.30pm start). Tickets can be purchased on the gate priced at £20 for adults and £5 for juniors.
Match report courtesy of Chris Woods