FRIENDS PROVIDENT t20, Chester-le-Street:
Warwickshire 120-5 beat Durham 117-8 by five wickets
Match scorecard

Warwickshire spinner Imran Tahir claimed a hat-trick as the Bears went second in the FP t20 South Group with a five-wicket victory over Durham.

Tahir took 3-19 as Durham set a target of only 117-8, Albie Morkel hitting 46, backed by Gareth Breese's unbeaten 30.

Bears skipper Jim Troughton then top scored with 34 as the visitors reached 120-5 with two overs to spare.

Rikki Clarke's unbeaten 29 off 21 balls saw the Bears to a victory that lifts them up into second in the North Group.

With Durham already struggling at the crease, Tahir's arrival in the 12th over proved crucial as he caused the host's batsmen no end of problems with his googlies.

Murchall was the first of his victims as he was caught between bat and pad for 10 before Will Smith was caught at mid-on by Ant Botha.

And Tahir completed his hat-trick as Ben Harmison edged to Rikki Clarke at first slip.

Durham are now second-bottom of the North Group following their fifth successive defeat.

BBC Radio Newcastle's Martin Emmerson gives his post-match verdict:

After five defeats in a row, next Friday's match at Worcester is fast turning into a battle of the wooden spoon.

From my position in the commentary box it seems the players just want this campaign over with - even though they are quick to tell you that morale in the camp is good.

The competition promised lots this year. In its new format Durham invested heavily in the likes of Albie Morkel and Ross Taylor.

But sadly the cricket served up is the sort of stuff from the nightmare seasons of a few years back when Durham were regularly bottom of the northern group and had the worst record in the country. And it's heading that way again.

After so many defeats qualification seems to be long-gone. They need snookers now!

With eight points still to play for all they can hope is that they don't end up bottom of the pile, but it appears confidence is shattered and the batting side of things has become a major problem for coach Geoff Cook.

The euphoria of brilliant high-scoring wins against Warwickshire and Leicestershire just three weeks ago is now long-forgotten.

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