Lancs wrap up win

Durham sent packing in Blackpool

Last updated: 7th September 2007

stuart law

Law: Vital knock

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LV County Championship - Division One
Blackpool - Day Two
Durham 166 (M J Di Venuto 78, G Chapple 7-53) & 185 (D M Benkenstein 77, S I Mahmood 4-51) v Lancashire 183 (L D Sutton 66 no, O D Gibson 8-68) & 169-3 (S G Law 82 no, V V S Laxman 55 no)

Lancashire (17pts) beat Durham (3pts) by 7 wkts

Lancashire polished off Durham inside two days in Blackpool before escaping punishment over the state of the pitch.

Another 16 wickets fell on Friday to add to the 18 on day one, leading to a visit by the ECB Pitch Panel.

Tony Pigott, Philip Sharp and Chris Wood carried out a formal pitch inspection after the match and announced that "no further action is required".

Lancashire earned a first innings lead of just 17 when they were skittled for 183, but having then knocked Durham over for 185 required 169 for victory.

Stuart Law was the mainstay of the chase, making an undefeated 82, getting vital support from VVS Laxman (55no), adding 125 for the fourth wicket after the first three fell for 37.

Earlier, Glen Chapple claimed 3-33 to bag a 10-wicket haul in the match as Dale Benkenstein made a fine 77 amidst the carnage - Sajid Mahmood taking 4-51.

Day One

Eighteen wickets fell on day one of Lancashire's match against Durham at Blackpool.

Paceman Glen Chapple took seven wickets for 53 runs, as Durham were skittled out for just 166 before tea.

But Ottis Gibson replied with six wickets of his own, as the red rose county's top order was left in ruins.

Few could have predicted such an extraordinary day, when the visitors made their way to 91 for one at lunch.

But Chapple then produced his career-best figures to prompt suspicion from watching pitch liaison officer Philip Sharpe.

Only Durham opener Michael Di Venuto (78) and Lancashire wicketkeeper Luke Sutton (51 not out) made half-centuries in an incredible day of cricket.

Lancs now face the possibility of being docked points though, if the officials deem the pitch to be unsuitable at a meeting on Friday.