Balderson scuppers Durham despite Robinson's heroics
On a Blackpool day so deliciously hot at times that it felt almost indecent, George Balderson bowled Lancashire to victory just before tea, with Durham’s Ollie Robinson stranded on a magnificent 171 not out.
Robinson and David Bedingham had made Durham’s unlikely target of 475 seem possible during a magnificent morning of batting, and Lancashire’s woes grew when Saqib Mahmood left the field after struggling during his run-up (later confirmed as a twinge in his hip flexor).
But Bedingham fell to Nathan Lyon after lunch, shortly after matching Keaton Jennings by completing two centuries in the match. Ben Stokes, who had spent the morning roasting on the Durham balcony, took 22 balls to get off the mark, before briefly teeing off and then, on 18, missing a straight one from Luke Wells while attempting a reverse sweep.
Balderson then polished things off with the new ball, taking four wickets, including a caught and bowled that ended with a full throttle belly flop. It was fitting that he took the final wicket to hand Lancashire their first win of the summer.
Fletcha Middleton and James Fuller led Hampshire to a five-wicket win over Nottinghamshire, while Matt Critchley was stranded on 99 as Essex beat Warwickshire for their third win of the season. Jordan Cox made an up-and-at-em 112.
Somerset moved into second place after defying Kent’s brave rearguard at Taunton. Joe Denly’s 67, and some agricultural biffing from Grant Stewart, set Somerset 189, but Matt Renshaw (82) and Andy Umeed (73) saw them home.
Derbyshire clung on against five-wicket Rob Keogh to ensure a draw against Northants; as did Leicestershire after following on thanks to half centuries from Rishi Patel, Lewis Hill, Peter Hanscomb and Rehan Ahmed.
Meanwhile, a thriller at Sophia Gardens was clinched by Middlesex despite a fabulous all-round performance from Mason Crane for Glamorgan.
What a fantasic final day! Results in all nine games and some tantalisingly tight ones still in the balance as the clock clicked past six o’clock.
Thanks so much as ever for reading, have a lovely week. We’ll be back on Friday for the final round of this two-month back-to-back spread of games. Till then, bye!
