Bell and Bohannon Hit Centuries, But Lancashire Fall Short as Durham Chase Down 321

Centuries from George Bell and Josh Bohannon weren’t enough to lift Lancashire’s faltering Metro Bank One-Day Cup campaign, as Durham chased down a target of 321 to secure a vital four-wicket win at Aigburth and keep their knockout hopes alive.

Wicketkeeper-captain Ollie Robinson led from the front with a composed 80* off 59 balls, guiding Durham to victory alongside allrounder Will Rhodes, who contributed 75 off 68. The pair shared a game-defining 127-run partnership for the fourth wicket, sealing the chase with nine balls to spare.

The win marked Durham’s third in six Group B games, keeping them firmly in contention for a top-three finish. For Lancashire, however, a fourth defeat in six leaves them languishing near the bottom of the table with their qualification hopes rapidly fading.

Inserted to bat first, Lancashire made an explosive start, racing to 50 inside four overs. George Bell starred with his maiden first-team hundred — a well-crafted 104 from 115 balls — while Josh Bohannon continued his excellent form, registering 106 off 102 balls. In doing so, he became the first Lancashire batter since Paul Horton in 2009 to score back-to-back List A centuries.

The duo put on 175 runs for the second wicket in under 29 overs, pushing Lancashire to a commanding 251 for 2 by the 41st over. Bohannon reached his century first, in 96 balls, with Bell following shortly after, bringing up his ton in 113 balls.

However, a dramatic collapse followed. Both centurions were dismissed in quick succession, caught at deep midwicket attempting aggressive shots. From 255 for 2, Lancashire lost their final eight wickets for just 65 runs in the last eight overs. Ben Raine led Durham’s fightback with a superb spell of 4 for 34 from 9.5 overs.

Chasing 321 on a good batting surface, Durham began solidly through Alex Lees (64) and Emilio Gay (44), who added 84 for the first wicket. Despite a brief stumble at 168 for 3, Robinson and Rhodes steadied the innings, punishing a depleted Lancashire attack missing spinner Charlie Barnard due to a dislocated finger.

With 22 runs taken off a single over from part-time spinner Harry Singh — filling in for Barnard — Durham took control. Rhodes brought up his third fifty of the campaign from 48 balls, while Robinson reached his half-century in just 39. Their calm approach turned the game decisively in Durham’s favour.

Although Rhodes and Raine fell in the closing stages, the result was never in doubt as Robinson steered his side home with authority.

Durham now look ahead with two group matches remaining and a strong chance of progressing to the knockout stage. Lancashire, meanwhile, are left to reflect on a missed opportunity — despite two outstanding individual efforts from Bell and Bohannon.