LIAM PLUNKETT, 19, the England Academy fast bowler, put down a marker as an all-rounder as he cleanly struck 14 from three balls in the final over from Robin Martin-Jenkins — a four and six to mid-wicket and then a fine, straight-driven four — to give Durham an unlikely victory.

Only one of these teams was going to keep alive their promotion hopes, so Sussex left the field in shock. Batting first, they had made 214, with Mike Yardy’s 72 featuring effective reverse-sweeps. With fewer risky strokes, and running, it might have been more, but it was a competitive total.

In reply, Durham, at 69 for two, were ahead of Duckworth/Lewis only foolishly to lose Gary Pratt, driving at Martin-Jenkins, and their advantage, as rain was about to descend. But after an hour’s break, they had another chance — to make a further 90 in 13.3 overs.

After adding 59 almost to reach the required rate, Jon Lewis and Gavin Hamilton fell within five balls. Finally, an improbable 15 was needed off the last over, only for Sussex to find themselves walking off with the last two balls unbowled.