Hollman drags Middlesex past Stokes's Durham and into final

Luke Hollman produced a sensational all-round performance to script a memorable victory for Middlesex, propelling them into their first List A final since 1990 with a dramatic two-wicket win over Ben Stokes’s Durham at Radlett. Hollman first left his mark with the ball, picking up 3 for 53, before single-handedly guiding Middlesex home with an unbeaten 83 under intense pressure. Ackermann and Rhodes Build Durham’s Foundation Opting to bat, Durham navigated early trouble to post a competitive total of 254 for 7. Alex Lees fell early to Naavya Sharma, but Will Rhodes and Ben McKinney quickly steadied the innings with a 50-run partnership. McKinney struck 45 before falling to Zafar Gohar, bringing David Bedingham to the crease. Bedingham looked dangerous, clearing the ropes twice, but Hollman cut his stay short. Controversy struck shortly after when England Test captain Ben Stokes was given caught behind off Gohar from a delivery that bounced steeply, leaving Stokes visibly unhappy with the decision. At 136 for 4, Durham risked falling short, but Colin Ackermann anchored the lower half of the innings. Ackermann played a gem of a knock, combining sharp running with timely boundaries in a run-a-ball 71 not out. Rhodes contributed a solid 80 before Hollman dismissed both him and Ollie Robinson—the latter courtesy of a spectacular diving caught-and-bowled effort in his follow-through. Middlesex Stumble Early in Pursuit Middlesex’s run chase started disastrously against a hostile Durham attack. Stokes bowled a brute of a lifting ball to remove Josh De Caires, and Ben Geddes edged behind off Luke Robinson. When Joe Cracknell fell to a blinding mid-wicket catch from Bedingham, Middlesex were on the back foot. A brief recovery led by Caleb Falconer and Nathan Fernandes gave the hosts hope as they brought up a rapid 50-run stand. However, self-inflicted damage set in when Falconer was run out, and Fernandes fell to Ackermann’s off-spin shortly after. Ackermann then tore through the lower middle order, removing Gohar and Toby Roland-Jones in quick succession. At 145 for 7, Middlesex’s target of 255 felt light-years away. The Great Escape: Hollman and the Tail Direct the Miracle Refusing to surrender their final dreams, Hollman found crucial support from the tail. He combined maturity with controlled aggression, bringing up his half-century in 68 balls while Tom Helm provided explosive boundary hits at the other end. Even when Helm edged behind off Shafiqullah Ghafari with 31 runs still required, Hollman remained unfazed. Henry Brookes (Cornwell) held firm at one end, allowing Hollman to chip away at the total. Hollman struck a crucial boundary off Stokes to bring the equation down to just four runs, before sweeping Matt Parkinson to the fine-leg boundary to seal a historic victory with eight balls to spare. Middlesex’s 36-year wait for a List A final is officially over—and they have Luke Hollman’s nerve of steel to thank for it.