Durham Edge Lancashire in Thrilling Vitality Blast Encounter

Durham's Graham Clark and David Bedingham put on a batting masterclass on Father's Day, guiding their team to a thrilling two-run victory over Lancashire Lightning in the Vitality Blast.

Clark (87) and Bedingham (78) combined for a 109-run partnership, propelling Durham to a mammoth 218 for three, their highest total against Lancashire in T20s. Lancashire's chase started promisingly, but Durham's bowlers, led by Callum Parkinson's three-wicket haul, kept chipping away at their batting lineup.

Despite a late surge from George Balderson, Jack Blatherwick, and Chris Green, Lancashire fell just short of the target, handing Durham their first home win of the Blast campaign.

Durham skipper Alex Lees opted to bat first, and Clark wasted no time in setting the tone with a six off Luke Wood. Lees joined the party with a boundary off Saqib Mahmood, taking Durham past 50 in the powerplay.

Balderson broke the opening stand with the wicket of Lees, but Bedingham continued the momentum, hitting consecutive fours off Luke Wells. Clark reached his half-century in 29 balls, and Bedingham followed suit shortly after.

Mahmood dismissed Clark, but Bedingham kept the runs flowing, smashing a six over Blatherwick's head. The South African reached his half-century in 29 balls before falling in the final over.

Lancashire's reply began disastrously as Parkinson bowled Josh Bohannon for four. Wells hit a six off Matthew Potts, but Ashton Turner removed him soon after.

With the DLS par score rising due to drizzle, Lancashire needed to accelerate. Keaton Jennings and Matthew Hurst took them past 50, but Coughlin produced a stunning caught-and-bowled to dismiss Hurst.

Nathan Sowter removed Jennings, and Parkinson got rid of Tom Bruce and Steven Croft. Green and Balderson fought back, but Raine dismissed Green, and Blatherwick's late sixes were not enough to prevent Lancashire from falling two runs short.

Tags: #VitalityBlast, #Durham, #Lancashire, #T20, #Cricket