Vitality Blast Scorecard Durham Cricket

LAST TIME OUT

Worcestershire Rapids fell to a disappointing defeat against Leicestershire on Sunday afternoon, as the Rapids Vitality Blast qualification hopes took a dent.

Gareth Roderick continued to impress having been promoted to number three, with his 49 the stand-out score in the away side’s total of 150-8.

In reply, Worcestershire’s bowlers struggled to build pressure defending their modest total, as the Foxes eased home by six-wickets in the end.

The defeat leaves Worcestershire two-wins adrift of the chasing pack in the North group, with a few days to prepare for the visit of Durham to Visit Worcestershire New Road, on Wednesday evening.

THE OPPOSITION

LAST SEASON: QUARTER-FINALS

PREVIOUS BEST: FINALS DAY (2008, 2016)

ONE TO WATCH: JIMMY NEESHAM

The Northern outfit have made a flying start to the 2025 Blast, notching up four wins from their opening six games on their way to second place in the group.

Four wins on the bounce have provided the visitors with a timely boost as they look to continue their impressive form.

On the hunt for their first ever Blast title, Durham, will be itching to get the monkey off their back, as one of the four remaining counties yet to win the competition.

The evergreen New Zealand International Jimmy Neesham, has proved a shrewd acquisition, bolstering the Durham middle order as well as offering a useful bowling option.

The kiwi is averaging 37 in his six innings so far this campaign, with his 50 not-out leading his side to victory over current table toppers, Northants Steelbacks.

Also chipping in with 11 wickets, the 2019 World Cup finalist knows how to perform under pressure, and could have a big say in Wednesday night’s outcome.

INSIDE THE CAMP

JACOB DUFFY IS MAKING THE MOST OF LIFE IN THE FAST LANE AHEAD OF WEDNESDAY NIGHT’S T20 CLASH WITH DURHAM, THREE DAYS ON FROM HIS SIDE’S DEFEAT AWAY AT LEICESTERSHIRE.

After back-to-back defeats in the North Group, the Kiwi International is full of positivity as tomorrow night’s clash provides a chance for his side to overturn the recent difficult run.

“It is awesome. That’s part of the reason I was so excited to come here. Obviously, everyone talks about the schedule and how demanding it is and chucking a four-day game in there too, it’s pretty cool what we’re doing.

“I think we are better suited playing here. We know what to expect. I’m assuming we’re playing on the same wicket again, too. We’ll be right up for it tomorrow.”

After some under-par batting displays, the Rapids have struggled to build momentum in the losses to Lancashire and Leicestershire.

Duffy, however, said the bowling unit have continued to work hard and take regular wickets, even amongst the the difficult spells.

“We are a very steady sort of unit. I think we sort of know what we’re getting. Fateh, has been unbelievable through all six games. For a guy that hasn’t played much cricket at all, he’s come in and done seriously well.

“I know Tom Hinley has come in through the middle too with a few good overs. Me, Dwarsh (Ben Dwarshuis) and Tommy (Tom Taylor) has had a good start too, in his three or four games he’s played.

“We’ve got some consistency sort of forming there, it’s just runs on the boards clearly we need.”

Facing off against Durham, a team sat second in the table as it stands, brings a whole host of challenges for the Rapids in its own right.

For Duffy, however, there is the added storyline of playing against fellow countrymen Jimmy Neesham and Zak Foulkes, who have been additions to the Durham ranks this season.

Duffy, is excited by the opportunity to face off against the pair, who he knows from his time in New Zealand.

“I know Jimmy, I played a lot with him in Otago and against him for Wellington back home. That’ll be good fun, and obviously they’ve got Zak Foulkes too, who I’ve played with a lot for with New Zealand and against for Canterbury. There is a couple of really good 20/20 cricketers there.

“It will be a good challenge, but good fun.”