Colin Ackermann's Magnificent Century Powers Durham Against Nottinghamshire

Ackermann Stars on His Birthday

Colin Ackermann celebrated his 34th birthday in style, hammering the first century of the Rothesay County Championship season to propel Durham to 370-9 on the opening day against Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge. The South African-born all-rounder’s 116-run masterclass included 17 fours and a six, rescuing Durham from a precarious 171-5 after being put in to bat.

Key Moments and Performances

• Ackermann’s Resilience: Despite a narrow escape on 80—when a Lyndon James delivery clipped his off-stump but failed to dislodge the bail—Ackermann batted flawlessly until edging behind off Farhan Ahmed. His partnerships (78 with Alex Lees and 93 with Graham Clark) solidified Durham’s innings.
• Alex Lees’ Captaincy Debut: The newly appointed Durham skipper marked his leadership debut with a brisk 52, though Farhan Ahmed cut short his aggressive start.
• Fergus O’Neill’s Dream Debut: The Australian pacer (4-74) made an immediate impact for Nottinghamshire, removing Ben McKinney and Emilio Gay early. His fiery spell included a jaffa to dismiss Will Rhodes, caught spectacularly by Joe Clarke.
• Josh Tongue’s Comeback: Returning from a long injury layoff, England-contracted Tongue claimed 2 wickets but lacked his 2023 Test-match sharpness.
• Farhan Ahmed’s Spin Magic: The 17-year-old off-spinner (2 wickets) outshone Nottinghamshire’s senior slow bowlers, including the key scalp of Ackermann.

Match Context

Nottinghamshire’s decision to field first backfired as Durham’s lower order capitalized on a tiring attack. George Drissell (45) and Clark (45) provided crucial support, while O’Neill’s four-wicket haul kept the hosts in contention. The pitch favored batsmen, but Nottinghamshire’s fielding lapses (Lees dropped on 17) proved costly.

Looking Ahead

With Durham posting a competitive 370, Nottinghamshire’s reply—led by Clarke (standing in for Kyle Verreynne)—will test their resolve. The match hangs in balance, setting up an enthralling Day 2 at Trent Bridge.

Notable Stats:

• Ackermann crossed 11,500 first-class runs during his innings.
• O’Neill arrived with 38 Sheffield Shield wickets at 21.07 this season.