Durham bowlers sealed win - Smith

Ben Harmison stepped in for brother Steve with a three-wicket haul

Durham captain Will Smith has hailed his bowling attack for their role in their 41-run Twenty20 Cup home win over Yorkshire on Wednesday night.

The hosts posted a low 131 from their 20 overs, but then restricted Yorkshire to just 90-9 to seal a second straight win in the competition.

"We bowled brilliantly," Smith told BBC Newcastle.

"It was a great bowling and fielding performance and credit to the guys. They really want us to qualify."

Durham were without their two main strike bowlers, Graham Onions and Steve Harmison, after they were called up for England Ashes training squad and Lions duty respectively.

But Harmison's younger brother Ben proved the pick of the Durham bowlers, taking 3-20.

Gareth Breese took 2-22 while Mitch Claydon and Neil Killeen went for just 15 runs apiece and spinner Ian Blackwell turned in the most economical figures, 1-11 from his four overs.

After losing four of their first six North Division matches, Durham looked to be heading for an early exit.

But their wins over Derbyshire and Yorkshire in the space of two nights have boosted their hopes. And, with leaders Lancashire and Leicestershire still to play, Smith admits progress is in their own hands.

"Every game is pretty much a final to us," said Smith. "It's still in our hands, two down, two to go.

"Each game we win the next becomes even more important.

"We're fully fired up to make sure these next two games go a similar way.

"We've got people in there who are really confident and there's a real desire there to make sure we qualify."