Cricket

Will Rhodes, the former Warwickshire captain who led the team to the County Championship title in 2021, has decided to leave the club at the end of the season. Rhodes, whose contract expires this year, was offered an extension but declined, citing a desire for a new challenge and a more competitive deal. He has since signed a long-term contract with Durham, where he will join an experienced batting lineup.Rhodes' departure was confirmed by Warwickshire on Saturday, while Durham has yet to announce his arrival. "It's not been an easy decision," Rhodes said. "I've spent most of my professional career here at Edgbaston, made life-long friends, and had success on the field. There are memories I will cherish for many, many years.""But I feel the time is right to move on and pick up a fresh challenge. Coming to the club as a 22-year-old, I never thought I'd get such an opportunity to captain a great club like Warwickshire. It's been an unbelievable honour… I'd like to think I've made a positive contribution and helped take the club forward."Rhodes intends to remain with Warwickshire for the rest of the season to help the team avoid relegation, rather than joining Durham on loan early. "It goes without saying that I will be giving my all to the club for the rest of the season," he said. "We've had a brilliant start in the One Day Cup. Who knows, it would be amazing to go out on a high by winning some silverware."After starting his career at Yorkshire, Rhodes has played 86 first-class matches for Warwickshire, averaging 35.85 with the bat and scoring 10 hundreds. He has also featured in 37 T20s and 36 List A games for the club. Rhodes was appointed club captain ahead of the 2020 season and led Warwickshire to their first Championship title since 2012 the following summer. He stepped down at the end of last year to focus on his own form.Mark Robinson, Warwickshire's coach, said: "When you work as a head coach with a captain for a number of years, you form a special bond which will always last. So personally, I would like to thank Will for all the support he has given me, as well as the wider club, both as a leader and a performer on the field."Durham recently announced the signing of New Zealand's Neil Wagner for the Championship run-in and the One-Day Cup.

Durham's impressive batting display, led by Alex Lees's century and contributions from Bas de Leede and Colin Ackermann, propelled them to a commanding 57-run victory over Lancashire in the Metro Bank One-Day Cup.Lees, the Durham captain, anchored the innings with a superb 111 off 126 deliveries, striking eight boundaries and a six. De Leede, the Dutch international, contributed a brisk 72 off 63 balls, while Ackermann chipped in with a quickfire 59 off 33.Durham's total of 344 for four was their sixth-highest List A score. They paced their innings expertly, with every batter contributing. Ben McKinney (43) and Michael Jones (41) provided valuable support to Lees.Lancashire's chase got off to a promising start, with Josh Bohannon scoring a career-best 147 off 119 balls. However, Ackermann and de Leede proved too strong for the Red Rose batters, sharing six wickets between them.Ackermann's off-spin accounted for three wickets, including the crucial dismissal of Keaton Jennings for 44. De Leede, with his seam bowling, claimed three wickets, including the prized scalp of Bohannon.Bohannon's valiant effort was in vain as Lancashire were bowled out for 287, falling short of Durham's target. The win marked a successful start to Durham's One-Day Cup campaign.

Durham secured a thrilling eight-wicket victory over Derbyshire Falcons in the Vitality Blast match at Derby, booking their place in the quarter-finals of the North Group.Alex Lees and Colin Ackermann played pivotal roles in Durham's triumph, scoring unbeaten half-centuries to chase down Derbyshire's modest total of 155 for 8. Lees struck 72 off 60 deliveries, while Ackermann contributed 54 from just 30 balls, sharing an unbroken stand of 88 to guide Durham to victory with seven balls to spare.Durham's bowlers laid the foundation for their success, with Nathan Sowter, Ben Raine, and Callum Parkinson claiming two wickets each. Sowter's economical spell of 2-18 proved particularly effective, while Raine and Parkinson chipped in with 2-19 and 2-33 respectively.Derbyshire's innings got off to a promising start, reaching 64 in the powerplay. However, they lost wickets at regular intervals, with Wayne Madsen and Alex Thomson top-scoring with 22 runs each. Madsen's dismissal, caught at long off by Ackermann, proved to be a crucial moment in the match.Durham's chase began cautiously, with Lees and Graham Clark putting on 45 for the first wicket. Clark's departure brought Ackermann to the crease, and the South African all-rounder injected momentum into the innings with his aggressive strokeplay. He smashed two sixes over midwicket off Thomson and drove Reece for another to ease the pressure on Durham.Despite some disciplined bowling from Derbyshire, Lees and Ackermann remained unfazed, guiding Durham to victory with seven balls to spare. Their experience and composure proved invaluable in securing the win and a place in the knockout stages.

Northamptonshire Steelbacks secured a crucial Vitality Blast victory over Durham at the Seat Unique Riverside, thanks to a blistering performance from Ashton Agar and Lewis McManus.Despite a rain-affected match reduced to eight overs per side, Durham posted a competitive 90 for five, with Ashton Turner (36*) and Colin Ackermann (25) leading the charge. However, Agar's explosive 31 and McManus's steady innings guided Northamptonshire to a six-wicket triumph.With the Steelbacks opting to bowl first, Durham's openers struggled, losing Graham Clark and Alex Lees cheaply. Turner and Jones provided some resistance, but Agar's introduction proved decisive. He dismissed Jones for 16 and Ben Raine for 5, while Turner and Ackermann combined for a 45-run partnership.Northamptonshire's chase got off to a shaky start with Ben Dwarshuis dismissing David Willey with the first ball. Agar responded with a six and two boundaries, setting the tone for the visitors. He fell for 31, but Breetzke (20) and McManus (16*) ensured the Steelbacks reached their target with six wickets to spare.This victory puts Northamptonshire in a strong position for qualification, while Durham's hopes rest on favorable results elsewhere.

Durham's impressive performance in the Vitality Blast continued as they secured a comfortable 30-run victory over Nottinghamshire Outlaws at the Seat Unique Riverside. The win strengthens Durham's chances of reaching the quarter-finals, while Notts remain rooted at the bottom of the North group.After being put in to bat, Durham struggled initially, losing three wickets for 106. However, Ashton Turner (44*) and Callum Parkinson (3-15) played pivotal roles in guiding the hosts to a competitive 160 for six. Turner and Ben Raine (23*) forged a crucial partnership of 54 runs, with Raine hitting the first six of the night in the penultimate over.Nottinghamshire's chase started promisingly, but Durham's bowlers, led by Parkinson, applied relentless pressure. Parkinson claimed three wickets, including the key scalps of Joe Clarke and Ben Slater, while Raine removed the dangerous Matthew Montgomery.Despite a late flurry of fours from Montgomery, Durham's bowlers maintained their discipline, with Nathan Sowter and Ackermann picking up crucial wickets. The Outlaws were eventually restricted to 130 for nine, handing Durham their sixth win of the season.Turner's unbeaten 44 and Parkinson's three-wicket haul were the standout performances for Durham. The hosts now sit in the top four with two games remaining, while Notts' hopes of reaching the knockout stages are fading.

Yorkshire's Vitality Blast campaign received a much-needed boost as they secured a crucial seven-wicket victory over Durham at Headingley. Legspinner Jafer Chohan played a pivotal role in the triumph, claiming a maiden five-wicket haul to restrict Durham to a paltry 107.Chohan, celebrating his 22nd birthday, wreaked havoc on the Durham batting lineup, taking three wickets in the 15th over. His superb spell of 5 for 14 from 3.4 overs left Durham reeling at 97 for 9. Despite a brief recovery, Durham's innings ended on 107, setting Yorkshire a modest target of 108.Yorkshire's chase was a relatively straightforward affair. Openers Adam Lyth and Dawid Malan put on a 64-run partnership before falling. Lyth top-scored with 30, including two sixes, while Malan contributed 29. Despite losing a few wickets along the way, Yorkshire cruised to victory with 3.2 overs to spare.Durham's batting woes continued in this match, as they were bowled out for the fifth time in 11 games. Ben Raine top-scored with 33, but their middle order failed to provide any substantial support. The defeat leaves Durham in a precarious position in the North Group, as they slipped out of quarter-final contention.Yorkshire, on the other hand, have revived their hopes of reaching the knockout stages. The win snapped a three-match losing streak and moved them up to fifth place in the standings. A victory at Lancashire tomorrow could secure their place in the top four.Chohan's performance was a major highlight for Yorkshire. The South Asian Cricket Academy product had missed the previous two matches due to injury but made a triumphant return. His five-wicket haul was Yorkshire's third-best figures in Blast history.

Northamptonshire Steelbacks emerged victorious in a thrilling Vitality T20 Blast encounter against Durham at Wantage Road, securing a five-wicket triumph in the final over.Chasing a modest target of 141, Northamptonshire faced an uphill battle, requiring 10 runs per over in the last five. However, Lewis McManus and Ashton Agar displayed nerves of steel to guide their team to victory.McManus, who has significantly improved his batting this season, contributed a crucial 25 off 16 balls. Agar, making his debut for the Steelbacks, played a pivotal role with a massive six in the final over, bringing his side to the brink of victory.Earlier, Ben Sanderson produced a career-best T20 bowling performance, claiming 4 for 15, including two wickets in three balls. Durham's top three batters were dismissed without scoring, leaving them reeling at 4 for 3.Colin Ackermann emerged as the mainstay for Durham, scoring a valiant 70 off 52 deliveries, including four fours and four sixes. Left-arm spinner Freddie Heldreich also impressed with three wickets.Durham's innings was characterized by regular wickets, but Ackermann's resilience kept them in the game. However, Northamptonshire's bowlers maintained the pressure, restricting Durham to 140 all out.Northamptonshire's chase began cautiously, with Durham's bowlers keeping them in check. Vasconcelos provided the early impetus with a six and four off de Leede, but the hosts lost their first wicket when Breetzke was caught off Raine.Vasconcelos continued to impress, reaching 41 before being dismissed lbw by Parkinson. Willey also contributed with two boundaries off Ackermann, but he fell soon after, chipping a return catch to Sowter.Northamptonshire lost a second wicket when Parkinson trapped Vasconcelos lbw, but McManus and Zaib formed a crucial partnership of 32 in 3.3 overs. Zaib was eventually dismissed by Raine, leaving McManus to guide his team home.McManus hit a six off Sowter and slapped Parkinson down the ground, keeping Northamptonshire in the hunt. He and Agar shared a vital stand, with Agar's six in the final over proving decisive.

Durham's Vitality Blast campaign received a significant boost as they secured a crucial 22-run victory over Worcestershire Rapids at the Seat Unique Riverside. The hosts' batting lineup, led by Michael Jones' blistering cameo, set a formidable target of 190 for 5, which proved too daunting for the visitors despite Kashif Ali's valiant effort.Durham's innings got off to a promising start with Graham Clark and Alex Lees providing a solid foundation. Lees smashed the first six of the night, but the Rapids fought back with the wickets of both openers. Ollie Robinson and Colin Ackermann then consolidated the innings, using the spacious dimensions of Chester-le-Street to their advantage.However, Brett D'Oliveira broke the partnership, dismissing Ackermann for 19. Robinson continued to impress, hitting two sixes off D'Oliveira, but his innings was cut short when he was caught for 41. Jones then took center stage, smashing 39 from just 17 balls, including a six that sailed out of the ground. His late onslaught helped Durham post a challenging total.Worcestershire's chase began slowly, with the Rapids struggling to keep up with the required run rate. D'Oliveira's early departure put further pressure on the visitors. Ali and Cobb attempted to revive the innings, but Ali's dismissal for 45 proved a major setback.Durham's bowlers maintained a tight grip on the game, with Ben Raine claiming the key wickets of Ali and Adam Hose. Gareth Roderick's six gave Worcestershire a glimmer of hope, but Raine struck again to remove him for 18. Late wickets from Ben Dwarshuis, Bas de Leede, and Raine sealed the victory for Durham.This win puts Durham in a strong position to qualify for the quarter-finals for the first time since 2018. The Rapids, on the other hand, face an uphill battle to qualify after losing their last six matches in the competition.

Worcestershire's first victory of the Vitality County Championship season came in dramatic fashion as they chased down 231 to defeat Durham by six wickets at the Seat Unique Riverside.After dismissing Durham for 152 in their second innings, Worcestershire faced a daunting target. However, half-centuries from Kashif Ali (76*) and Adam Hose (50) proved decisive.Ali and Hose came together with Worcestershire struggling at 65 for three. They combined for a 129-run partnership that shifted the momentum in the visitors' favor. Ali, a graduate of the South Asian Cricket Academy, played a crucial role in securing the win, while Hose continued his impressive form with back-to-back fifties.Durham's bowlers had enjoyed success on the previous two days, but they were unable to contain Ali and Hose. The pair weathered a barrage of short-pitched bowling and took advantage of loose deliveries.Gareth Roderick provided a solid start for Worcestershire, scoring 38 before falling to Ben Stokes. Jake Libby also contributed 19, but it was Ali and Hose who ultimately guided the visitors to victory.For Durham, the defeat was their first home loss in the County Championship since April 2022. It leaves them just 11 points ahead of Worcestershire in the Division One relegation battle.