Harmison falls short in heartstopper

9 June 2008

Steve Harmison produced a fine all-round display only to see Mark Davies perish

Hampshire scrambled to their first LV County Championship win of the season in dramatic fashion when they beat Durham by just four runs in Division One at Chester-le-Street.

It arrived despite the heroics of Steve Harmison, who equalled his best score for the county, 36 not out, in a last-wicket stand 57 of Mark Davies.

Their partnership was ended when wicketkeeper Nic Pothas clinched victory with his 10th catch of the match, as Davies edged Shane Bond behind for 19.

It was Durham's first championship home defeat since losing to the same opponents in September 2006.

Hampshire captain Dimitri Mascarenhas said: “This was a massive win for us. It would have been really tough to come back from losing that one.

“We were desperate for the win. That was Shane Bond's last game for us and he has been brilliant. He has done everything we have asked of him and we hope to get him back for next season.”

Durham began the day needing 109 with four wickets standing but suffered a big blow in the seventh over when they lost captain Dale Benkenstein for 50.

Hampshire had opened up with James Tomlinson and Sean Ervine but when the new ball became available six overs into the session Bond was straight into the attack to claim a wicket with his third delivery.

Benkenstein had added four to his overnight 46, reaching 50 off 99 balls, when he edged Bond low to Pothas.

It was not clear the ball had carried, but with the umpires about to consult, Benkenstein took Pothas' word that it was a clear catch and departed.

Callum Thorp lost his off-stump offering no stroke to Chris Tremlett and Durham were 205 for eight, still needing 89, when Harmison joined Paul Wiseman.

Wiseman fell for 28 to a brilliant one-handed catch by John Crawley at gully, bringing in last man Davies with 62 needed.

He made 19, including two fours, before driving at Bond wide of off-stump and edging to Pothas.

Harmison’s knock was scant reward for the tall fast bowler, whose return to form continued with eight wickets in the match, only to finish on the losing side.