Durham Cricket set a new record with a 100-run victory over Middlesex. The match took place at Old Deer Park in Richmond on 28 June 2026. Captain Alex Lees scored a career best 108 from just 61 balls. Durham set a massive target of 218 by losing 6 wickets.
The Durham bowlers dismissed Middlesex for 118 runs in 14.5 overs. This marks Durham’s biggest ever win in domestic T20 cricket and lifts them to third place in the North Group.
Alex Lees Slams Career-Best Century at Richmond
Durham captain Alex Lees played a masterclass in power hitting in the first innings of the match. He opened the batting and continued till the second-last ball of the innings. Lees scored his 108 runs, which included 11 fours and four sixes. Consequently, he tied the record for the highest-ever T20 score by a Durham player, matching the 108 runs scored by Paul Collingwood in 2017.
Lees started his innings with great intent and reached his half-century in just 27 balls. He particularly targeted the Middlesex bowlers with powerful shots straight down the ground and over midwicket. One highlight included a massive six against Sebastian Morgan that flew straight back over the bowler’s head. Furthermore, he survived a tense moment on 99 runs when the umpire turned down a loud appeal for leg-before-wicket (LBW) from Luke Hollman. He reached his century on the very next ball.
Durham Batting Unit Dominates Middlesex Attack
While Lees provided the main fireworks, other Durham batters added important runs to the total. Graham Clark hit the first six of the match before he was caught for 15. Lees was then joined by Ben McKinney, who played aggressively, scoring 26 runs off 14 balls, including two fours and two sixes.
Ollie Robinson scored 29 runs off 16 balls in the middle order. Colin Ackermann provided a final boost at the end of the innings by smashing 18 runs from just six deliveries. These contributions allowed Durham to set a target of 219, which proved far too high for the home side.
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Middlesex Chase Crumbles Early Against Pace
Matthew Potts struck with the second ball of the innings, removing Joe Cracknell for just two runs. Shortly after, Ben Raine took two wickets in only three balls. He dismissed Max Holden and Matt Boyle to leave Middlesex in deep trouble at 14-3 after only 16 balls.
Ben Geddes was the next to go after a brilliant catch by wicketkeeper Ollie Robinson. Robinson ran back toward the boundary and caught a high, swirling ball over his head. Middlesex captain Leus du Plooy scored 34 runs, but he received very little support from his teammates.
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Raine and Potts Lead the Bowling Attack
Ben Raine took 3 wickets for 17 runs in less than three overs. He bowled accurately and gave the Middlesex batters no room to hit. Matthew Potts also claimed three wickets while conceding only 18 runs, proving why he is considered an England-level fast bowler.
Kasey Aldridge completed the dominant bowling performance by taking 3 wickets for 38 runs. He dismissed Josh de Caires and the dangerous Leus du Plooy during the middle of the innings. Additionally, spinner Zafar Gohar bowled very economically. Although he did not take a wicket, he only gave away 26 runs from his four overs, which helped stop Middlesex from scoring quickly.
Significance of the Record Victory
This 100-run win is a major moment for Durham Cricket. It is their biggest ever win by runs in a domestic T20 match. Moreover, it helps the team to bounce back after some recent defeats in the competition. Durham ranked sixth in the North Group coming into this game, but this victory lifts them up to third place.
It also shows the strength of leadership in Alex Lees. He was named club captain in December 2024 and signed a three-year contract to keep him at the club until 2027. In contrast, Middlesex continues to struggle at the bottom of the South Group with only one win from eight matches.
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