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Durham’s Ben Stokes holds nerve to seal win over Warwickshire Durham’s Ben Stokes holds nerve to seal win over Warwickshire
(about 4 hours later)
This was one for the committed. On a grim, grey, floodlit day Warwickshire crawled to 165, hardly the ideal first act for neutral observers craving some end‑of-season festival fun. This was one for the committed. On a grim, grey, floodlit day Warwickshire crawled to 165, hardly the ideal first act for neutral observers craving some end‑of-season festival fun. Instead there was a gripping low-scoring dogfight between two tenacious sides, which ended with Durham winning by three wickets with almost 10 overs remaining.
Instead there was a gripping low-scoring dogfight between two tenacious sides, which ended with Durham winning by three wickets with almost 10 overs remaining.
There were tense moments for Durham fans along the way especially when Jeetan Patel, Warwickshire’s overseas off-spinner and the leading wicket-taker in the country in all cricket, had the ball in his hand. His four wickets almost spun the match Warwickshire’s way. But Ben Stokes, the man of the match, held his nerve with the game in the balance.There were tense moments for Durham fans along the way especially when Jeetan Patel, Warwickshire’s overseas off-spinner and the leading wicket-taker in the country in all cricket, had the ball in his hand. His four wickets almost spun the match Warwickshire’s way. But Ben Stokes, the man of the match, held his nerve with the game in the balance.
When he was joined by Durham’s No9, Gareth Breese, there were still 35 runs required. They got them without too many alarms before embracing one another in celebration. The September Lord’s final may not grip the cricketing public as it once did, but it still means a lot to the players.When he was joined by Durham’s No9, Gareth Breese, there were still 35 runs required. They got them without too many alarms before embracing one another in celebration. The September Lord’s final may not grip the cricketing public as it once did, but it still means a lot to the players.
Apart from the floodlights, this game was something of a throwback. The duration of the match has reverted to 50 overs per side this season, which has generally been regarded as a success. It began at 10.30am, so that the captain winning the toss did not hesitate to bowl with heavy cloud cover combining with a bit of autumnal dew.Apart from the floodlights, this game was something of a throwback. The duration of the match has reverted to 50 overs per side this season, which has generally been regarded as a success. It began at 10.30am, so that the captain winning the toss did not hesitate to bowl with heavy cloud cover combining with a bit of autumnal dew.
These conditions would prevail all day but they allowed Durham the advantage at the start. No Warwickshire batsman could impose himself upon a disciplined attack; only Varun Chopra, who battled for 64, could last long.These conditions would prevail all day but they allowed Durham the advantage at the start. No Warwickshire batsman could impose himself upon a disciplined attack; only Varun Chopra, who battled for 64, could last long.
Durham were not flawless in the field with a couple chances going down but they were urgent and there was the odd moment of magic – Calum MacLeod’s tumbling catch at mid-on to dismiss Chris Woakes was something special.Durham were not flawless in the field with a couple chances going down but they were urgent and there was the odd moment of magic – Calum MacLeod’s tumbling catch at mid-on to dismiss Chris Woakes was something special.
Their contrasting batch of bowlers was on the mark. Chris Rushworth, fresh from 15 wickets in a day against Northamptonshire last week, was suitably miserly and set the tone by dismissing William Porterfield. Rushworth is one of those invaluable stalwarts, who will never play for England but who never lets his county down. Their contrasting batch of bowlers was on the mark. Chris Rushworth, fresh from 15 wickets in a day against Northamptonshire this week, was suitably miserly and set the tone by dismissing William Porterfield. Rushworth is one of those invaluable stalwarts, who will never play for England but who never lets his county down.
Then there was Paul Collingwood, back in the ranks in this competition as Mark Stoneman takes charge, finding just enough swing and movement off the pitch to command respect. More interestingly for England selectors pondering the ODI squad for Sri Lanka, which is to be announced on Wednesday, is the fact that Stokes propelled nine lively overs.Then there was Paul Collingwood, back in the ranks in this competition as Mark Stoneman takes charge, finding just enough swing and movement off the pitch to command respect. More interestingly for England selectors pondering the ODI squad for Sri Lanka, which is to be announced on Wednesday, is the fact that Stokes propelled nine lively overs.
He remains a streaky cricketer, lurching from one extreme to the other. He is in a good patch at the moment. He cracked 164 in Durham’s semi-final against Nottinghamshire; here his unbeaten 38 would be just as critical and he bowled with venom and control.He remains a streaky cricketer, lurching from one extreme to the other. He is in a good patch at the moment. He cracked 164 in Durham’s semi-final against Nottinghamshire; here his unbeaten 38 would be just as critical and he bowled with venom and control.
For Warwickshire, Chopra played a gallant lone hand, patient and discreet while his colleagues came and went but eventually his dutiful innings was ended when he was bowled behind his legs by Rushworth. There was no fairytale return to the grand stage – although Lord’s was not at its grandest with the stands barely half full – for Jonathan Trott, who was lbw to Collingwood for two. Stokes’ extra pace was enough for Laurie Evans and Rikki Clarke, while the off-spinner Breese picked up three wickets, the most important of which was Woakes. At the end of the innings Boyd Rankin reminded us that tailenders are not only limited batsmen; they are often appalling judges of a run (well, I guess they do not get much practice).For Warwickshire, Chopra played a gallant lone hand, patient and discreet while his colleagues came and went but eventually his dutiful innings was ended when he was bowled behind his legs by Rushworth. There was no fairytale return to the grand stage – although Lord’s was not at its grandest with the stands barely half full – for Jonathan Trott, who was lbw to Collingwood for two. Stokes’ extra pace was enough for Laurie Evans and Rikki Clarke, while the off-spinner Breese picked up three wickets, the most important of which was Woakes. At the end of the innings Boyd Rankin reminded us that tailenders are not only limited batsmen; they are often appalling judges of a run (well, I guess they do not get much practice).
Initially Durham’s response was reliant upon Stoneman, who produced the only skittish innings of the day, a run-a-ball 52. Clarke dispatched Phil Mustard and MacLeod for ducks and then Patel, the most inspired of overseas signings, bowled beautifully. With men around the bat on a responsive pitch he tormented all of the Durham batsmen. Four of them were lbw to him but not one could consider himself unlucky. On most days his 4-25 would have been a match-winning performance. Initially, Durham’s response was reliant upon Stoneman, who produced the only skittish innings of the day, a run-a-ball 52. Clarke dispatched Phil Mustard and MacLeod for ducks and then Patel, the most inspired of overseas signings, bowled beautifully. With men around the bat on a responsive pitch he tormented all of the Durham batsmen. Four of them were lbw to him but not one could consider himself unlucky. On most days his 4 for 25 would have been a match-winning performance.
Collingwood steadied the boat for a while until a leading edge was caught at cover, but in the end Durham were grateful to Stokes to see them home. Apart from an attempt to reverse sweep the penultimate ball delivered by the danger-man, Patel, he produced a superbly measured innings.Collingwood steadied the boat for a while until a leading edge was caught at cover, but in the end Durham were grateful to Stokes to see them home. Apart from an attempt to reverse sweep the penultimate ball delivered by the danger-man, Patel, he produced a superbly measured innings.
He bided his time and played impressively straight but when the ball was over-pitched he drove it with easy timing and it accelerated away from the fielders. There were a few hiccups against Patel; otherwise he defended adroitly when necessary.He bided his time and played impressively straight but when the ball was over-pitched he drove it with easy timing and it accelerated away from the fielders. There were a few hiccups against Patel; otherwise he defended adroitly when necessary.
His talent was revealed to a wider audience during last winter’s Ashes series. But here was welcome confirmation of a cool temperament in a tight situation. When at ease with himself he has to play in England’s best team, whatever the format.His talent was revealed to a wider audience during last winter’s Ashes series. But here was welcome confirmation of a cool temperament in a tight situation. When at ease with himself he has to play in England’s best team, whatever the format.
The problem is that when he is out of kilter he can be dreadful. In this match there was bound to be a comparison with Woakes, a similar style of cricketer. Stokes won that little contest hands down – Woakes was the day’s most expensive bowler. No doubt further comparisons can be made in Sri Lanka.The problem is that when he is out of kilter he can be dreadful. In this match there was bound to be a comparison with Woakes, a similar style of cricketer. Stokes won that little contest hands down – Woakes was the day’s most expensive bowler. No doubt further comparisons can be made in Sri Lanka.