Durham complete improbable comeback

Durham completed an improbable comeback against Derbyshire to defeat the visitors by 95 runs in their Specsavers County Championship Division Two match at Emirates Riverside.

Chris Rushworth led the way with the ball with figures of 5 for 47 to take the final six wickets needed in the morning session, although he was aided by Matt Salisbury with four strikes, while Nathan Rimmington also registered a wicket.

It was a brilliant comeback from the home side, who looked down and out after their first innings when they were bowled out for 96. Derbyshire appeared to be within sight of victory on day two when they had Durham six down, with a lead of only 46.

However, an inspired effort from Gareth Harte turned the course of the game as he notched his maiden first-class century to turn the momentum in favour of the north-east outfit. Derbyshire were unable to respond as Rushworth along with the rest of the Durham pace attack were able to wrap up the victory and claim their second win in the County Championship of the 2018 season.

Rushworth was happy to parade his joy. "It's incredible. You look back and think where we were at the end of day one and we were miles behind. You don't have to go too far back to see another result like this with the Leicestershire game. Again we were nowhere in that game and that showed how much fighting spirit we've got in the dressing room.

"It's an amazing win and I think it shows what it means to play for this club. Guys are coming to play for Durham and are fighting with everything that they've got. They want to win and they want to wear this shirt. It's a great sign for Durham. It's wins from situations like that are amazing to be involved in."

Derbyshire began day 69 for 4 in need of a huge effort from their middle and lower order. Their plans was disrupted almost immediately when Rushworth made the first breakthrough of the morning of day four when he removed Callum Brodrick with a fine delivery that just took the outside edge before travelling through to Ryan Davies. Daryn Smit was dropped first ball by Michael Jones in the slip cordon, but he lasted another four deliveries before he was pinned lbw by Matt Salisbury.

Ben Slater remained composed at the other end of the pitch, reaching his fifty off 93 balls. However, he lost another partner when Hardus Viljoen was bowled by Nathan Rimmington for 10.

Rushworth returned to the attack before lunch and forced a mistake from Tony Palladino, but Will Smith could not hold the catch at gully. However, Salisbury's return was greeted with the crucial strike of Slater, clean bowling the Derbyshire opener for 68.

Rushworth notched his fourth strike of the innings when he bowled Alfie Gleadall for two to bring the home side within one wicket of victory. The seamer could have notched a five-wicket haul to end the game as Duanne Olivier edged his first delivery to Smith at gully, but for the second time of the morning session, the fielder failed to come up with the catch.

Olivier and Palladino scored late boundaries to frustrate the Durham bowlers, but Rushworth ended the game when he had Olivier out lbw to secure the victory for the home side.