Latham toughs it out as Jets go top

Durham 156 for 6 (Latham 52) beat Leicestershire 142 for 6 (Ackermann 74, Eckersley 39*) by 14 runs
Scorecard

Durham Jets moved back to the top of the Vitality Blast North Group courtesy of a 14-run win over the Leicestershire Foxes at Emirates Riverside.

The Jets battled their way to a total of 156 from their 20 overs on a slow wicket thanks to a half-century from captain Tom Latham along with James Weighell, who provided late impetus with three sixes.

Leicestershire struggled from the off, losing five early wickets. Colin Ackermann did his utmost to keep his side in contention with a fine innings of 74, but it proved to be in vain as the Jets closed out the win to move within touching distance of a quarter-final berth.

Ackermann said of a defeat that left Leicestershire ever more adrift of the top four: "Obviously it's disappointing. I thought we gave them too many in the field. It has been our Achilles' heel this season, our fielding. It's something that we have to improve on."

Durham won the toss and elected to bat, Latham and Clark ensured that their side once again made a solid start. The home side approached fifty before the powerplay before Zak Chappell produced a fine delivery to bowl Clark for 23. Paul Collingwood lasted just two balls when he was run out by Gavin Griffiths going for an ambitious second.

The Jets continued to struggle to time the ball off the middle. The hero of their win over Lancashire Liam Trevaskis had a tough time, scoring eight off 12 before being stumped off Mohammad Nabi. Latham made a solid fifty, but was forced to work hard for his runs, reaching the milestone in 45 deliveries.

The New Zealander fell for 52 to Callum Parkinson, being bowled attempting a reverse sweep. Will Smith kept the scoreboard ticking off with a decent knock of 26. The spark was provided by Weighell late in the innings, with the left-handed crashing three sixes over the rope to take Durham over the 150-run mark. He was run out off the penultimate ball, but Ryan Davies scampered a three off the final delivery to reach 156.

Leicestershire's reply got off to a poor start against the off-spin of Smith. Neil Dexter miscued his drive straight to Weighell, while Ben Raine followed to Chris Rushworth's first ball, edging to Collingwood at slip. Nathan Rimmington compounded the Jets' advantage, bowling Mark Cosgrove for seven before having Ateeq Javid caught behind to leave the visitors 22-4 in the fifth over.

Nabi fell to the leg-spin of Ben Whitehead to continue the procession of Leicestershire wickets. Foxes skipper Ackermann offered resistance, playing a well-crafted innings to score a fifty off just 36 deliveries. He combined Ned Eckersley to reach a partnership worth 50 in 40 balls to keep the visitors in contention.

The run rate continued to climb despite the efforts of Ackermann and Eckersley. Leicestershire's captain fell five short of his career best for 74 in the penultimate over to Rimmington, who claimed his third wicket. Chappell had a late dart, but the Jets were able to close out the victory by 14 runs.