AI Simulation, DUR vs HAM । Durham qualify for semi-final of T20 Blast 2025 with six-wicket win over Hampshire

Pitch and Weather

The pitch had a tinge of green, offering seam movement early, but was expected to flatten out under lights, making batting easier later.

A chilly evening at Chester-le-Street with a stiff breeze across the ground.

Toss

Hampshire won the toss and elected to bat first.

Lineups

DUR XI: Graham Clark, Alex Lees(c), David Bedingham, Colin Ackermann, Oliver Robinson(w), Will Rhodes, Ben Raine, Matthew Potts, Codi Yusuf, Nathan Sowter, Callum Parkinson.

HAM XI: Toby Albert(w), Tom Prest, Joe Weatherley, Hilton Cartwright, Benny Howell, James Fuller, Liam Dawson, Fletcha Middleton, Chris Wood(c), Scott Currie, Sonny Baker.

Match Report

Batting first, Hampshire lost Tony Albert (12) early in the third over as he was caught by Alex Lees at slip off Matthew Potts’ bowling. Following this dismissal, Tom Prest and Joe Weatherley firmly stood in the middle to stitch a crucial partnership for the second wicket. Both batters waited for the right deliveries to hit the boundaries and take the score forward steadily. Weatherley scored 33 runs off 26 balls, with three fours and a six, before he was dismissed in the 10th over, owing to the brilliant catch taken by Robinson, diving forward. Furthermore, Prest also scored 46 runs off 35 balls, with five fours and a six. Later, the contributions by Hilton Cartwright (21) and Benny Howell (18) helped Hampshire to post 158/8 in the allotted 20 overs. Matthew. For Durham, Matthew Potts was the most successful bowler, with two wickets for 27 runs in his four overs, alongside two wickets for 34 runs, picked by Codi Yusuf.

While chasing the target, Durham had an amazing start with the opening pair of Graham Clark and Alex Lees. Clark scored 31 runs off just 20 balls, with five fours and a six, alongside Alex Lees’ 45 runs off 36 balls, with six fours. Furthermore, David Bedingham came up with a swashbuckling approach to smash 39 runs off just 23 balls, hitting three fours and two sixes. Colin Ackermann and Olivier Robinson’s 18 and 20* helped Durham chase down the target easily in 18.4 overs, scoring 161/4. Chris Wood, Liam Dawson, and Scott Curie picked a wicket each for their side, but these efforts couldn’t be enough for Hampshire as they failed to defend the target. With this win, Durham have also qualified for the semi-finals of the ongoing T20 Blast 2025.

Player of the Match

Durham’s Alex Lees won the ‘Player of the Match’ award for his brilliant and composed knock of 45 runs off 36 balls, with six fours. His partnerships with Graham Clark and David Bedingham also played a pivotal role in Durham’s six-wicket win.

Scorecard