TWENTY20 CUP NORTH DIVISION, Grace Road:
Durham 137-4 beat Leicestershire 133-8 by six wickets (Durham 2pts)

David Warner hit three sixes and five fours in his 18-ball 44

Durham completed their remarkable turnaround as they made the Twenty20 Cup quarter-finals by beating nearest rivals Leicestershire at Grace Road.

After losing four of their first six qualifying group games, Durham looked out of it at the halfway stage.

But three wins, the latest against Leicestershire, along with the point gained from Friday's wash-out against Lancashire, proved enough.

Durham, chasing 133-8, reached 137-4 to win by six wickets with 20 balls left.

Durham's Australian opener David Warner was the catalyst, smashing 44 runs from just 18 balls, including three sixes and five fours.

But former captain Dale Benkenstein and winter signing Ian Blackwell enjoyed a profitable 48-run partnership to steer the 2008 semi-finalists to a place in the last eight for the second successive year.

Boeta Dippenar had offered Leicestershire's best chance of a victory, making 63.

With both sides needing a win to qualify, Leicestershire opted to bat first, perhaps with one eye on the weather and a possible Duckworth/Lewis equation coming into play,

But Dippenar was one of only three players to make double figures for the Foxes.

Leicestershire miss out on a quarter-final place - but they do at least have the consolation of qualifying for the top flight of next season's P20.

BBC Radio Newcastle's Martin Emmerson offers his verdict: "Durham were dead and buried a few weeks ago but have been rejuvenated by the arrival of Dave Warner.

"His impact on the team with the bat has brought out the best in others and Durham have prospered as a result.

"The bowlers laid the foundations once again with this one as they restricted Leicestershire to just 133 on their home ground and the batsmen then knocked them off with ease.

"An opening stand of 75 from Warner and Phil Mustard calmed any nerves and Durham were able to cruise home with four overs to spare.

"I can't believe this is the same side which looked so beaten and dejected after their fourth defeat in six at Old Trafford."

Leicestershire head coach Tim Boon told BBC Radio Leicester:

"I just don't think we were quite assertive enough both with bat and ball, I think they (Durham) out-performed us through their basic skills.

"When you get a low score it means that their batters up front can free their arms and they did just that."

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