Harmison hat trick gives Durham 2 day victory

By Jon Steer
April 21 2005

Five wickets including a hat trick from Steve Harmison and three wickets for Liam Plunkett took Durham to victory despite a worrying collapse earlier in the day as Durham slipped from 271-4 to 286 all out.

Paul Collingwood's 129 proved to be the difference in an otherwise low scoring game at the Riverside. Once he was dismissed only the next wicket partnership of Benkenstein and Peng managed double figures as Durham lost their last six wickets for just fifteen runs. A collapse that was all to reminiscent of the Durham of last season.

However, the total of 286 gave Durham a first innings lead of 115 and when Liam Plunkett and Steve Harmison took early wickets, including the crucial one of Grahame Hick, to leave Worcestershire reeling at 44-3 at tea the lead was starting to look much larger.

After tea Plunkett took his third wicket to remove opener Moore for 28 and Paul Collingwood trapped Gareth Batty lbw. When Mark Davies removed captain Vikram Solanki for 8, Worcestershire were in serious trouble at 78-6 and it looked as if Durham wouldn't need to bat again.

A 56 run partnership between keeper Pipe and Sri Lankan star Chaminda Vaas took Worcs far enough to mean Durham would need to bat again. Then with the score at 132-6 Harmison bowled Pipe, Mason and Wigley on consecutive balls to complete a superb hat trick. Harmison had been telling his fellow bowlers that if they pitched it up they would take wickets and he was proved right.

Harmison also bowled last man Sheriyar to finish off the innings to leave Durham a target of 32 to win the match.

Mike Hussey started quickly with three boundaries but was out lbw to Mason, Collingwood followed in the same manner for just four and when Muchall fell for 1 Durham were making heavy weather of their target. Jon Lewis and Dale Benkenstein saw them to the target and completed the win within two days.

With two wins from two Championship matches Durham keep their top spot in the division with 41 points and have earned themselves two days off before they face Surrey in a one day match on Sunday.