Kashif Ali, Ben Cox fifties set up Worcestershire win over Durham

Worcestershire Rapids made a winning start to their Metro Bank One-Day Cup campaign defeating Durham by 42 runs at Seat Unique Riverside.

Kashif Ali was the star of the Rapids' batting effort as posted 76 to anchor the innings. A brilliant hat-trick from Liam Trevaskis threatened to derail Worcestershire's total as he become the first Durham player to achieve the feat in List A cricket. But Ben Cox added a brisk half-century to propel the Rapids beyond the 300-run mark.

The home side made a bright start in their chase of 319 through a knock of 79 from Graham Clark. But, Josh Baker and Brett D'Oliveria combined with six wickets apiece to dismantle the Durham line-up. Jonathan Bushnell took the game into the dying stages, but the Rapids held their nerve to close out a comfortable win.

The Rapids were put in by Durham skipper Alex Lees and D'Oliveira presented a chance from the first ball that Bushnell put down at point. The same fielder shelled another tough opportunity to send the opener on his way, and D'Oliveira settled in alongside Azhar Ali to reach fifty inside the eighth over.

The home side responded as Paul Coughlin removed D' Oliveira, but the bowlers found life tough in the early stages. Ollie Gibson overstepped twice, bowled a wide, and was smashed for a six by Azhar Ali in a tumultuous second over. But the Durham seamer regained his composure to skittle the former Pakistan international.

The arrival of spin then put the clamps on the Rapids' run rate as George Drissell and Trevaskis settled into a tight line and length, which brought the wicket of Rob Jones. But, Kashif and Jake Libby provided the foundation of the Worcestershire innings with a stand worth 82 for the fourth wicket.

Kashif made his intentions known early on as he took the attack to Trevaskis and planted the ball over the rope with a dismissive strike. He accelerated the innings operating at a run-a-ball and reached his second List A fifty with his second maximum.

After Libby fell for 45, Kashif consolidated before priming himself to push forward again in the final 10 overs, beginning with two sixes to take Drissell's final over for 19.

But Trevaskis created Durham history and turned the momentum of the Rapids' chase with a sensational hat-trick. The left-arm spinner ended Kashif Ali's brilliant knock of 76 before clean bowling Matthew Waite and Joe Leach to rip through the lower order. Worcestershire needed to scramble to push for 300 after being reduced to 248 for 7, and Cox delivered with a quick-fire 57 from 49 to steer his team to a competitive total.

Durham made quick runs in their response as Clark found his rhythm with early boundaries. Lees appeared to be finding his range against Gibbon, but the Rapids man made the breakthrough to send the Durham skipper on his way for 12.

Clark and David Bedingham formed a solid partnership for the second wicket to stabilise the innings. Clark worked his way to a deserved fifty to continue his impressive form from just 44 balls. The two players were set against the Rapids pace bowlers, but the introduction of Baker tempted Bedingham to take on the boundary where he was caught on the fence for 31.

Clark fell into the same trap after surviving two dropped chances, presenting Baker with his second wicket through the quick work of Cox behind the stumps.

The loss of the experienced duo allowed the Rapids to turn the screw as Ben McKinney, Michael Jones and Trevaskis fell cheaply to send the required rate above seven runs per over courtesy of impressive bowling from the leg-spin of D'Oliveira.

Bushnell gave Durham a glimmer of hope with his first List A fifty to take the game into the final four overs, but the visitors closed out the victory with late wickets.