Match Centre

Middlesex secured a six-wicket victory over hosts Durham to register their second win of the Royal London One Day Cup.

Durham won the toss and opted to bat, the opening pair successfully negotiating the first ten overs from seamers Gayatri Gole and Katie Wolfe. Middlesex got the breakthrough as leggie Sophia Dunkley came into the attack and had Layla Tipton caught behind for 9 (31). Dunkley bowled her ten overs in one spell which put Durham on the back foot on 62-4, taking 4-18 with three maidens.

The hosts dug in and looked to attack the bowlers with skipper Helen Fenby and Laura Ellison forming a strong partnership of 108. In the 50th over Wolfe ended the stand as she bowled Ellison for 48 and then dismissed Hannah Knowles in the same fashion to claim two in two. Durham posted a competitive 171-6 with Fenby unbeaten on 43 and Rachael Petherick one. Wolfe finished with figures of 7-0-20-2, while fellow opener Gole was economical with 5-2-13-0.

In reply Middlesex opened with Naomi Dattani and Cordelia Griffith. Louise McCarthey struck early as Dattani was adjudged lbw for 0 in the second over. In the eighth Griffith was also dismissed lbw by McCarthey for 12. This saw Dunkley and Natasha Miles in the middle looking to rebuild and then up the run rate in pursuit of 172. The pair batted well together; running singles and punishing the bad balls for four. Dunkley continued her fine form, scoring 51 off 59 before she was stumped off the bowling of Bailey Wanless with the score on 90. Middlesex stalwart Beth Morgan joined vice-captain Miles and continued where Dunkley had left off, adding 45 runs for the fourth wicket as Fenby had Miles caught for 44. Albery came in at six with Middlesex needing 37 runs to win and got off the mark with a three. Hayley Fella and Fenby proved hard to get away and concentration was the key as each ball was played on its merits. Once again the experience of Morgan proved invaluable as Middlesex won by six wickets in the 45th over. Morgan finished on 44 and Albery 10.

Middlesex now sit fourth on the table and will look to make it three consecutive wins as they face third-placed Wales on Sunday.

Contributed by Georgia Isaac, Middlesex Women’s Media Assistant