Hollman leads Middlesex to first List A final for 36 years

One-Day Cup, men's semi-final, Radlett

Middlesex 255-8 (48.4 overs): Hollman 83*, Fernandes 44, Helm 40; Ackermann 3-46

Durham 254-7 (50 overs): Rhodes 80, Ackermann 71*; Hollman 3-53

Middlesex beat Durham by two wickets

Scorecard

Luke Hollman scored a sensational unbeaten 83 to help Middlesex stun Durham with a two-wicket win in their One-Day Cup semi-final at Radlett to reach their first List A decider since 1990.

Middlesex will face Leicestershire in the final at Trent Bridge on Sunday, 20 September, after the Foxes beat Notts Outlaws by 23 runs in their last-four meeting.

Hollman put on a List A best showing with the bat as Middlesex's tailend turned the match around when struggling at 145-7 after 30 overs as they chased 255 for victory.

It was at that point that Hollman was joined at the crease by Tom Helm, who contributed 40 to their 79-run partnership that changed the complexion of the showdown.

Before that, it had seemed that Colin Ackermann, who had already starred with the bat for Durham with an unbeaten 71, had put his team in control when he snagged three quick wickets - including the scalp of opener Nathan Fernandes for 44.

While former England captain Ben Stokes re-joined Durham's bowling attack late on, he failed to add to the solitary early wicket of Josh de Caires as Middlesex saw out a milestone victory in which Hollman also delivered with the ball.

The spin bowler took 3-53, which included two caught and bowled and the scalp of Durham's top scorer Will Rhodes for 80, while Naavya Sharma and Zafar Gohar took two wickets apiece to limit Durham to 254-7.

Middlesex all-rounder Luke Hollman:

"There's no better feeling than taking the club to a final. We had a lot of turbulence the last few years and a I feel getting to the final is going to be a brilliant showcase for us as a team after the fantastic cricket we've played in this competition this year.

"The lads up top got us off to a good start and put us probably 20 ahead of where they were at after the first 10. So it was nice having that buffer.

Helmy (Tom Helm) played a fantastic knock. He's a good player of spin and got pinned in the chest from balls ragging and spitting, but he chose the right option. Also fair play to Noah Cornwell to be clear on his role in the back end scenario.

"You never know with 50-over cricket. Don't get me wrong I rode my luck and nicked a few off Stokes but that is the nature of the best isn't it. All I was thinking about was taking it deep with the outfield so remarkably fast and unforgiving."

Durham head coach Ryan Campbell:

"That last over of our batting innings Sharma bowled beautifully and we just couldn't get another 10 runs. How many times have we played a game of cricket and said I wish I had 10 more runs - and today I wish I had 10 more.

"Will (Rhodes) summed up the situation pretty early and sent messages back saying 250-260 would be a good score because this is tough

"He has batted really well the whole tournament and he needs to take that into the County Championship because now we switch hats and change codes.

"The beauty of this competition is developing and showing young players. I've loved watching opposition teams with all their youngsters playing and leading the way, not just bowling the easy overs or batting in the easy spot."