Durston sets up Derbyshire victory

Derbyshire 245 for 8 beat Yorkshire 193 by 52 runs
Scorecard

Wes Durston inspired Derbyshire to a 52-run defeat of Yorkshire with one over remaining in the Clydesdale Bank 40 League encounter at Headingley. It left Yorkshire still seeking their first win in the competition in what has been a generally depressing start to the season, while their opponents claimed a second victory in as many days over the Bank Holiday period.

Derbyshire owed a great deal to Durston, who contributed 95 to his side's competitive 245 for eight and then helped to contain Yorkshire to 193 with 3 wickets for 25 runs. Captain Andrew Gale and Adam Lyth started out promisingly for Yorkshire but after they had added 35 in seven overs Lyth fell to a great two-handed catch by Garry Park flinging himself to his right at point.

Joe Root joined Gale in a profitable stand in which Gale used his feet well to drive Tim Groenewald for a big six but accurate bowling and keen fielding never allowed the pair to take control, despite Gale completing his half-century from 62 balls.

They added 90 in 18 overs before Root attempted a reverse sweep at too full a ball from Durston and was lbw for 45 and further pressure was applied on Yorkshire when Jonathan Bairstow drove Chesney Hughes straight into the hands of Wayne Madsen at long-off.

But it was the departure of Gale, for 74, which really spelled the end for his team after he had faced 86 balls and struck four fours and two sixes, Durston scooping up a low return catch which television replays confirmed had carried to the bowler. Madsen flung up an outstretched left hand to send back Gerard Brophy and bring Durston another wicket and Yorkshire caved in completely as Steffan Jones chipped in with three quick wickets

Winning the toss, Derbyshire lost their left-handed openers, Usman Khawaja and Hughes, just when they appeared to be settling in nicely, but they made a solid recovery through two splendid knocks from Durston and Madden.

After taking a careful look at the bowling, Durston soon blossomed, going on to hit two sixes off leg-spinner Adil Rashid. He was only denied his century by a breathtaking catch at short third-man by Ajmal Shahzad who flung himself to his right to hold on one-handed to a fierce cut which would otherwise have brought four runs. Durston departed for 95 from 99 balls with seven fours to go alongside his sixes and his two previous knocks in the competition this season had brought him scores of 64 and 70.

He added 65 for the fourth wicket with Madsen, whose straight drive at David Wainwright rolled on to and over the roof of the football stand, and it was the final over of the innings before he was stumped down the leg-side by Brophy off Rashid for a classy 66 from 41 deliveries with five fours and two sixes.

Ryan Sidebottom and Rashid each emerged with two wickets but the best analysis was returned by Richard Pyrah who claimed 3 for 41 off his eight overs.