Despite absence of several pacers due to injuries, Matthew Potts did not find a place in the Test squad for the first Test against India at Headingley, Leeds. After the Test squad snub, Potts let the ball do the talking as he claimed a five-wicket haul in the ongoing Vitality T20 Blast for Durham against Yorkshire. His exceptional spell helped Durham bowl out Yorkshire for 128 and win by six wickets.
Potts capitalises after top-order's departure
Earlier, Durham's captain Alex Lees won the toss and opted to bowl first. New Zealand pacer Zakary Foulkes dismissed Dawid Malan for a golden duck in the first over. Jonny Bairstow departed for a single-digit score. Callum Parkinson got the better of him. In his next over, he dismissed Adam Lyth. Potts was introduced in the eighth over. He struck twice to send William Luxton and Will Sutherland back to the pavillion. In his next over, he dismissed James Wharton who scored 26 runs from 23 balls. Then, he dismissed Dom Bess lbw.
Yorkshire's problems continued as Nathan Sowter joined the party and got the wicket of Jafer Chohan. Potts returned to bowl in the 16th over and ended Jordan Thompson's knock. Thomspon scored 19 runs from 23 balls. Jack White contributed with 13 runs before getting bowled for 13 runs. William ORourke remained unbeaten for 21 runs from 22 balls as Yorkshire were bowled out for 128 in 19 overs.
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Skipper leads from front in run chase
Durham lost early wicket of Graham Clark in the run chase to White. After powerplay overs Oliver Robinson and Colin Ackerman lost their wickets as well but skipper Lees anchored the run chase. Lees reached his half-century from 39 balls. In the 18th over, Thompson got the consolation wicket of Lees who scored 62 runs from 46 balls, including four fours and a six. Will Rhodes remained unbeaten for 31 off 30 balls as James Neesham finished the run chase with a boundary. Durham won the match by six wickets with two overs to spare.
Potts' recent white-ball and red-ball form
Potts' five wickets for 17 runs is the fourth-best bowling figures for Durham in T20 Blast history. This is also Potts' maiden five-wicket haul in T20 format. Earlier, Potts had taken four wickets from two T20Is against West Indies as well. In his last five first-class appearances, he has 21 wickets. In the clash against Zimbabwe A, he took five wickets as well.
Potts' only Test appearance against India
Potts' last Test appearance was on New Zealand tour in the third Test in Hamilton. He claimed four wickets in the first innings followed by one in the second. His only appearance against India in Tests was in the rescheduled Test in 2022. He took two wickets each in both innings.