Notts bowlers polish off Durham
Source -
sportinglife.com
A fiery spell from giant seamer Charlie Shreck helped Nottinghamshire to a comprehensive victory by 52 runs over Durham in the Twenty20 Cup.
The 6ft 7in Cornishman was stung into action after Durham opener Gordon Muchall refused to walk for an edge to Mark Ealham at first slip, who claimed a low catch.
But Shreck responded with three for 37 to rip the heart from the visitors' batting line-up, before tight bowling from the Notts spinners strangled the life out of Durham's middle order.
Earlier, Ealham's quick-fire 39 not out pushed Notts to a total of 175 for seven, with David Hussey also contributing 39 from 19 balls with three sixes.
Durham skipper Dale Benkenstein inserted Notts after winning the toss and was celebrating a wicket with the second ball of the match, as Graeme Swann skied a catch to him at mid-off from the bowling of Callum Thorp.
Overseas bowler Mick Lewis removed Stephen Fleming and Anurag Singh in his first over but Hussey and Will Smith moved the score on to 99 before Hussey attempted to hit his third straight six off off-spinner Gareth Breese, only to be caught on the boundary.
Chris Read and Smith quickly followed him into the dressing room but Ealham struck four fours and two sixes in the 17 balls he faced, with Samit Patel contributing nine before he was bowled.
Shreck thought he had a wicket in his first over with a lifter to Muchall, but although the 23-year-old initially moved to the pavilion, he stood his ground after opening partner Jimmy Maher expressed his doubts if it had carried.
The hosts were not impressed and made their feelings clear, and Shreck's temper was not improved by seeing Muchall hit his next two deliveries for four.
But his mood was lifted by the sight of Maher pulling to midwicket, followed by Phil Mustard edging to wicketkeeper Read off the next ball.
Benkenstein gave a return catch to Patel and Gary Pratt edged his first ball to Read, and when Muchall pulled a Patel full toss to midwicket any remaining hopes of a Durham win vanished.
The remaining wickets came in a rush as Patel and Swann conceded just 37 runs in their eight overs, with the coup de grace applied by Ealham, who bowled Lewis with five balls left.
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