County Championship: Ben Stokes back in top flight as Durham promoted after victory over Middlesex | Cricket News | Sky Sports
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Durham complete return to domestic cricket’s top flight by beating Middlesex with Callum Parkinson and Brydon Carse claiming four wickets apiece; Olly Stone took five as Nottinghamshire beat Hampshire and JT Langridge did likewise as Gloucestershire beat Lancashire
Friday 11 September 2026 17:32, UK
Brydon Carse (left) and Ben Stokes (right) in County Championship cricket action for Durham (PA Images)
Durham clinched promotion to Division One of the Rothesay County Championship with a 93-run victory over Middlesex at Chester-le-Street.
The north-east side began the final day needing eight wickets and Kasey Aldridge struck with the first ball to set the tone.
Despite a battling unbeaten ton from Harry Duke alongside Ben Geddes’ half-century, Durham took control with the ball as Callum Parkinson finished with four wickets for 45 runs and Brydon Carse also claimed four to secure their spot back in the top flight next year.
Elsewhere in Division Two, Gloucestershire secured a 105-run win over Lancashire, with JT Langridge putting in an impressive performance with the ball.
The bowler struck early to remove both George Balderson and Noman Ali before Sai Kishore claimed Mitchell Stanley’s wicket.
Langridge secured victory for Gloucestershire and completed a five-wicket haul by dismissing Rocky Flintoff for 65.
Hampshire remain under pressure in Division One following a 54-run defeat to Nottinghamshire.
Olly Stone earned a five-for by taking six wickets for 28 runs to keep Nottinghamshire in the race for the title, but Hampshire remain at the foot of the standings, 32 points adrift of safety, with two more games to go.