TWENTY20 CUP NORTH DIVISION, Derby:
Durham 154-4 beat Derbyshire 153-6 by six wickets (Durham 2pts)

Warner played for Australia in the ICC World Twenty20

Debutant David Warner hit a quickfire 50 in 30 balls to reignite Durham hopes of making the Twenty20 quarter-finals.

The Australian shared an opening stand of 96 with Phil Mustard (52) as Durham chased down Derbyshire's 153-6 to run out easy six-wicket winners.

Durham now climb up to fourth in the North Division, two points behind Yorkshire and Leicestershire.

Derbyshire's total was built around 59 from veteran Stuart Law, although their innings was interrupted by bright sun.

As has happened before, the east-west direction of the Derby square and the angle of the setting sun once again combined to make life difficult for the home side. And they were unable to make the most of their power play overs, slipping to 19-2.

Greg Smith (22) and Wavell Hinds (23) provided Law with decent support. But Derbyshire's total never looked like being enough from the moment Warner and Mustard started the Durham reply.

Durham were hoping Twenty20 specialist Warner might rescue their campaign. And, on this evidence, he may well prove their saviour, smashing a six and eight fours.

Warner launched his short stint with Durham by hitting fellow debutant Nantie Hayward's first ball for Derbyshire to the fine-leg boundary.

That was the start of some explosive strokeplay by both openers.

Warner pulled Graham Wagg for six and drove him for two more fours before he crashed four boundaries from former Durham player Garry Park's opening over.

The big-hitting Aussie also brought out the best in Mustard, who had played a comparative supporting role until Warner skied a pull at Wagg to midwicket.

Mustard drove Mark Lawson straight for another six on his way to a half century in two balls fewer than Warner's, with two sixes and four boundaries.

And although Derbyshire also chipped out Kyle Coetzer (16) and Dale Benkenstein (14), Durham got home with two overs to spare.

The defeat all but ended Derbyshire's hopes of reaching the quarter-finals, but Durham now face a crucial home game against Yorkshire on Wednesday night (1730 BST).

Derbyshire head of cricket John Morris told BBC Radio Derby:

"We didn't get enough runs and our first 10 overs weren't brilliant with the ball. David Warner took advantage of that.

"It's consistency. We are not doing one or the other consistently. We either play well with the bat and not the ball or play well with the ball and not with the bat.

"We are an inconsistent team and it's showing."

BBC Radio Newcastle's Martin Emmerson gives his verdict:

"This was an excellent win for Durham.

"This is how the game should be played and they crashed an opening stand of 96 which was a first-wicket record in this competition for Durham.

"Their investment in Dave Warner paid instant dividends as he weighed in with a 50 on his debut, ably assisted at the other end by Phil Mustard who notched the sixth half century of his Twenty20 career.

"If they can beat Yorkshire on Wednesday night, then it's all to play for."

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