West Cumbrian Graham Clark hit the fastest T20 fifty in Durham history when they beat Leicestershire Foxes by six wickets.
They were set to chase 148-8 to register their second win in this season’s Vitality Blast competition.
Their reply got off to a scintillating start, with Clark smashing an 18-ball half-century as Durham dominated the Foxes’ bowling attack during the powerplay.
That set the platform for a convincing Durham win as they chased down the target of 149 with six overs to spare.
However the Foxes almost had the wicket of Clark in the first over, as Mike dropped one at deep square after the Durham opener looked to clear the ropes.
Durham looked to set the tone for their chase in the powerplay, with Alex Lees hitting Josh Davey for three boundaries in an over and Clark clubbed four balls from Josh Hull over the ropes.
Having already taken a significant chunk out of the target, Durham kept their foot on the accelerator as Lees smashed one straight down the ground for six.
Clark then clubbed back-to-back sixes off Ben Green to pass fifty off 18 balls, a new record for Durham in T20s.
Clark was finally out to a fellow Cumbrian, Carlisle-born Liam Trevaskis a former Durham player for seven years.
Clark, 33, is part of a West Cumbrian family of cricketers headed by father Ian, a stalwart of the Cleator club for many years.
Brother Jordan, 35, started his pro career with Lancashire before moving to Surrey in 2019.
A third brother Darren is a stylish batsman for Cleator in the Cumbria League’s Premier Division.
