Close: Durham 2nd XI (178; Coughlin 69*) lost to Scotland ‘A’ (179/2; Watt 72*, Coetzer 72) by eight wickets
Durham’s second string closed out their pre-season preparations with defeat in a hastily arranaged 50-over game at the Emirates Riverside.
Having previously dispatched of the Scots inside two days, an agreement was made to play a limited overs fixture to maximise match practice before the season opener at Essex/Kent next weekend.
After electing to bat first, Durham never really got started as Paul Coughlin played a lone hand. Only Arshad (23) gave firm support in a 55-run partnership before he gifted a catch off Harris Aslam’s spin bowling.
Scotland came out fighting, determined to win after a disastrous two days, and ex-Durham man Kyle Coetzer teamed up with Mark Watt to manage a run chase.
Coetzer fell before the end but Watt saw his side home with few troubles, including a few lusty blows into the stands.
Close: Durham 2nd XI (654/4dec; Mustard 166,MacLeod 123, Clark 122, Poynter) beat Scotland ‘A’ (157 & 217; Watt 57; Randhawa 4/37) by an innings and 280 runs
Neil Killeen’s side completed an emphatic victory after another day of total domination against Scotland ‘A’ at the Emirates Riverside.
Having racked up 654/4 with each batsman scoring at least a half century, Durham bowled the visitors out to complete proceedings inside Day Two.
Gurman Randhawa’s left-arm spin was the chief destroyer second time around, taking 4/37 as Mark Watt remained unbeaten on 57.
The sides will compete in a 50-over friendly on the scheduled third day’s play as Killeen’s side aim to get as much practice in ahead of their season opener at Essex/Kent next week.
Close, Day One: Durham 2nd XI (395/1; Mustard 166, Clark 122) lead Scotland ‘A’ (157; Aslam 52*; Harrison 4/52) by 238 runs
Phil Mustard and Graham Clark scored quickfire hundreds as the Second XI built a huge lead against Scotland ‘A’ in the three-day friendly at the Emirates Riverside.
Mustard retired on 166 from 131 balls, with Clark eventually succumbing on 122, as they ended Day One on 395/1.
Scotland had earlier been bowled out for 157 with Harris Aslam’s 52* holding the innings together.
Ex-Durham man Kyle Coezter elected to bat first for the Scots but they were quickly reduced to 37/5 as Jamie Harrison and skipper James Weighell decimated the top order.
Another burst of wickets by Barry McCarthy left the visitors facing a two-figure score but Gavin Main, playing against his own team mates, survived some early luck to reach 30 and give their bowlers something to work with.
But the home batters capitalised on some wayward bowling, scoring at over seven runs an over as the visitors’ target was quickly surpassed.
The openers both passed three figures and continued the onslaught against a tiring and demoralised bowling attack, with Mustard retiring after three consecutive sixes took him over the 150 mark, the partnership with Clark worth 294.
Clark departed shortly after but Gordon Muchall and Calum MacLeod put on an unbroken 81 for the third wicket as Durham ended the day a mammoth 238 runs ahead and with chance to secure victory inside two days.