Twenty20 specialist Albie Morkel fired Durham to a thrilling six-wicket win over previously unbeaten Lancashire.

Morkel smashed five sixes in the space of three overs to finish unbeaten on 45 from 19 balls as the Dynamos overcame a six-run penalty for slow bowling.

Lancashire had looked in control after posting 180-6 thanks to half-centuries from Mal Loye and Stuart Law.

Durham stalled after Phil Mustard's 61, needing 50 to win from 20 balls before South African Morkel's late hitting.

A 77-run second-wicket partnership between Loye and Law entertained the Old Trafford crowd after the home side won the toss and opted to bat.

Former England one-day opener Loye followed Kevin Pietersen's lead with a switch-hit six off Durham spinner Gareth Breese on his way to 53 from 37 balls.

But Breese gained his revenge when he had Law stumped for 54 as Lancashire's innings faltered in the final few overs.

Scott Borthwick, an 18-year-old leg spinner from Sunderland, took 3-23 on his senior debut.

Durham began brightly through Mustard and Michael di Venuto, but their hopes of victory looked to be fading at 127-4 when wicket-keeper Mustard was dismissed by Francois de Plessis.

However, five sixes and two boundaries from Morkel ensured Durham left the north-west with a fine victory.