Durham collapse to defeat and relegation as Yorkshire and Hampshire survive

Durham were relegated to Division Two of the Rothesay County Championship after slumping to defeat against Yorkshire.

A draw looked the most likely result at Headingley heading into the final day but Durham were bowled out for only 85 in their second innings, condemning them to defeat by an innings and 44 runs and sparing Hampshire.

Hampshire began the final day against Surrey on 148 for nine and needing 33 runs for victory.

They fell 20 runs short, with James Fuller the final man out as Rahul Chahar claimed an incredible eighth wicket of the innings on his impressive cameo appearance.

That left Hampshire sweating but Durham, who just needed to avoid defeat to stay up, were unable to save themselves, failing even to make Yorkshire bat again.

The White Rose finished their first innings on 475, a lead of 129, and Durham lasted just 44.5 overs in their second innings, with Alex Lees and David Bedingham the only men to reach double figures.

“I can’t explain it,” said head coach Ryan Campbell. “It’s just a total capitulation. Unfortunately, it’s happened a few times this year. The pressure went on and our blokes couldn’t stop it.

“Obviously, there’s a room full of gutted people. We were handed a lifeline and we didn’t take it.

“Today was one of those days that will probably go down in Durham’s folklore of hanging our heads in shame. We’re going to have to rebuild and come back bigger and better next year.”

Essex knocked off the 95 they needed at Chelmsford to claim a seven-wicket win over Somerset, whose collapse to 99 all out in their second innings meant a paltry target for the hosts.

Division Two champions Leicestershire capped a fantastic season with a 167-run win over Northamptonshire at Wantage Road.

Liam Trevaskis claimed six for 85 as Northants were all out for 333 having resumed on 120 for five. Stuart van der Merwe made a stunning 116 – his maiden first-class ton – but was last man out to Trevaskis.

Luis Reece took five for 63 to help Derbyshire claim an innings-and-229-run win over Kent, who were all out for 198 in the follow-on at Canterbury. Derbyshire’s 698 for six declared set up the win, with Kent skittled for 271 first time around.

Middlesex beat Gloucestershire by an innings and 67 runs at Lord’s. The hosts’ 634 for nine declared put them in the box seat, with Gloucestershire making 286 and 281.