Stokes fires Durham to One-Day Cup victory over Essex in Gay's absence

Ben Stokes made a quickfire 43 to help Durham to a 20-run victory over Essex in their One-Day Cup Group B match at Darlington despite the absence of England Test opener Emilio Gay. <p>In a match reduced to 38 overs a side by early morning rain, Durham were put in to bat by Essex and fell to 30-3.</p><p>But former England captain Stokes hit 43 off 27 balls, hitting five fours and two sixes, before Colin Ackermann added an unbeaten 80 that helped them post 229-5.</p><ul><li><a href="https://www.skysports.com/cricket/scores-fixtures"><strong>Today's cricket scorecards: One-Day Cup and more</strong></a></li><li><a href="https://www.nowtv.com/membership/watch-sky-sports?DCMP=ilc_skysports_nc_articlelink"><strong>Watch cricket and more sport contract-free on NOW</strong></a></li></ul><p>Essex opener Noah Thain made 76 but the visitors lost the rest of their top order cheaply, and were bowled out for 209.</p><p>Gay sat out the match as a precaution after retiring hurt in Friday's loss to Middlesex.</p><p>Elsewhere, Jake Libby's fourth century in as many One-Day Cup outings was not enough for <strong>Worcestershire</strong> as <strong>Glamorgan</strong> snatched a two-wicket victory off the last ball at Cardiff.</p><p>Libby extended his outstanding run as the Worcestershire skipper made 105 off 114 balls in his side's 278-9.</p><p>Glamorgan were quickly reduced to 46-3 in reply but Callum Rhys Nicholls (70) and Jack Hope-Bell (58) reversed the trend and captain Andy Gorvin found the boundary from the last ball of the game to snatch the win.</p><p>Group B leaders <strong>Middlesex</strong> eased to an 87-run win over <strong>Derbyshire</strong> on the back of a 156-run third-wicket partnership between Max Holden (65) and Ben Geddes (109).</p><p><strong>Hampshire </strong>openers Ali Orr (105) and Ben Mayes (109) put on 225 for the first wicket in their 51-run win over <strong>Sussex.</strong></p><p>A superb unbeaten 133 from Daniel Bell-Drummond powered <strong>Kent</strong> to a six-wicket win over Group A leaders <strong>Leicestershire</strong> to keep their hopes of progress alive.</p><p><strong>Nottinghamshire</strong> could not take advantage of Leicestershire's loss as <strong>Gloucestershire</strong> beat them by four wickets with five balls remaining at Cheltenham despite captain Haseeb Hameed's 85.</p><p>Luke Procter also made 85 as <strong>Northamptonshire</strong> secured a seven-wicket victory over <strong>Somerset</strong> at Wantage Road while <strong>Warwickshire</strong> secured a two-wicket win over <strong>Lancashire.</strong></p>

Indexed and credited by AIPROPX. Originating outlet: Sky Sports. Open at source →