Ben Slater’s first List A century led Derbyshire to a seven-wicket victory over Durham, as the Falcons earned back-to-back wins to begin the Royal London One-Day Cup.
Slater’s (119) maiden century in white-ball cricket led the way as the hosts chased down 216 to beat the Riversiders, with Billy Godleman and Wayne Madsen adding 44 and 21 not out respectively.
Having chosen to bowl first, the hosts attack reduced the visitors to 75-7, before a hundred from Ryan Pringle (125) meant that Durham got up to 216 all out, despite 3-36 from Shiv Thakor and 3-59 from Andy Carter.
After winning the toss and electing to bowl first, Ben Cotton claimed an early breakthrough when Mustard was bowled without scoring with Durham 22-1.
Carter then claimed two quick wickets removing Mark Stoneman, caught by Wayne Madsen at point, and then dismissing Graham Clark soon after to leave the visitors 29-3.
Thakor then picked up his first of the day with the key dismissal of Scott Borthwick (9), caught by Neil Broom. Paul Collingwood (4) was next to go, lbw to Cotton, leaving the visitors in trouble at 41-5.
In the next three overs Durham were restricted to ten more runs before Thakor got his second of the innings when Callum Macleod’s brief resistance was cut short, chopping on for nine.
The next six overs came with Durham nudging up to 75-6 before Matt Critchley removed Keaton Jennings after he reverse-swept him to Cotton at gully with Durham 75-7.
Durham started to dig in and reached their 100 after 39 overs, with Pringle reaching his half-century from 59 balls with the visitors 132-7.
Alex Hughes’ men needed another wicket and it came courtesy of Thakor who took his third wicket trapping Arshad (15) lbw, as he continue his good form across all formats of the game to finish the innings with 3-36 off the ten overs.
Critchley then dismissed Jamie Harrison with Hughes catching at cover, before Pringle’s counter-attack of 125 runs, including 16 fours and 4 sixes, was halted when Carter castled him to claim his third wicket of the innings, and bowl Durham out for 216.
Slater and Godleman opened the batting and got the innings off to a perfect start, in the Falcons’ chase of 217. Slater reached his first half-century in List A cricket as the two made a century pairing in 108 balls.
Shortly after, Godleman (42) was dismissed by Arshad and Hamish Rutherford came in to join Slater at the crease.
Steadily the runs kept coming for Slater, while Rutherford (18) was eventually dismissed by Harrison. After 31 overs, Derbyshire reached 150 with Slater on 77 and Madsen on 5, leaving only 67 to win from the final 19 overs.
Slater reached his first white-ball century from 119 balls, before moving the Falcons to within just three runs of victory, when he was dismissed on 119.
It was left for Neil Broom (4 not out) to hit the winning runs, alongside Madsen on 21 not out, as the Falcons ran out seven-wicket winners for the second time in three days.
The Falcons continue their Royal London One-Day Cup campaign on Sunday when they welcome Yorkshire Vikings to the picturesque Queen’s Park, Chesterfield. Supporters can save 20% by purchasing their tickets in advance.
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