Durant Cricket NCCA Championship Final 2024: Day Four - Review

Berkshire and Staffordshire shared the Durant Cricket National Counties Championship title after the final at West Bromwich Dartmouth fizzled out into a rain-blighted draw.

It was the first time since 2005 – and only the ninth time in the history of a competition that began in 1895 – that the title had been shared with the draw being the most likely result after rain had washed out the morning session for the third day running.

Under last season’s regulations Berkshire’s first innings lead of 99 in a drawn final would have given them their tenth outright title but counties voted to scrap that regulation during the winter. Instead Staffordshire took a share of the competition for the 14th time – 12 outright – with Berkshire extending their remarkable run of success to a 12th piece of silverware in eight seasons.

A draw did not accurately reflect the balance of this game as Berkshire had set Staffordshire a mountainous – and highly improbable - 383 to win in what would have been 60 overs after Rhys Lewis had completed his maiden Championship century.

Lewis and Charlie Dunnett added 175 for Berkshire’s third wicket with Dunnett falling three short of his own century when he lifted Sam Atkinson to long-off.

Dunnett was missed on 80 when Liam Hurt was unable to hold on to a running return catch and Lewis was dropped twice before he completed his century.

Tom Moulton put down a catch a deep square leg off Hurt when Lewis had made 80 and Tom Brett was unable to hold on at mid-on off Atkinson when Lewis had added five more.

Lewis rode his luck to reach his century from 146 balls with 11 fours and a six with skipper Dan Lincoln then pummelling 37 not out from just 11 balls which dominated in a rapid fourth wicket partnership of 40 to set up the declaration.

Lincoln struck three sixes – two of them pulled into the car park of the neighbouring Sandwell Park Golf Club off Atkinson – and three fours.

Lincoln’s declaration challenged Staffordshire to make 55 more than the highest successful fourth innings run chase in their history and a target that has only been chased down by anyone seven times in Championship history.

Unsurprisingly, Staffordshire showed no interest in attempting the improbable and were quite happy to bat out time although Berkshire did manage to exert a little pressure on them before the sides shook hands on the draw with ten overs unbowled.

Matt Morris and Moulton opened with a partnership of 75 in 32 overs before Moulton edged off-spinner Lewis to wicketkeeper Dan O’Driscoll.

Callum Hawkins quickly followed when he offered no shot to slow left-armer Luke Beaven and watched the ball hit his off stump.

But Morris, who dislocated his right shoulder on the first day, remained to complete a battling unbeaten half-century to secure the draw and a share of the title.

Durant Cricket National Counties Championship Final

Final day of four

West Bromwich Dartmouth: Berkshire 382 (Johnny Connell 142, Josh Lincoln 124, Tom Brett 4-92) & 283-3 (Rhys Lewis 105 not out, Charlie Dunnett 97) drew with Staffordshire 283 (James Kettleborough 64, Tom Moulton 52, Tommy Sturgess 5-82) & 142-2 (Matt Morris 63 not out).