County Championship: Raine's 5-47 seals Durham win over Leicestershire

Ben Raine took 5-47 as Durham beat Leicestershire by 119 runs for their third win in a five-game unbeaten run in Division Two of the Championship.

The all-rounder's second-innings effort against his former club gave him career-best match figures of 9-96.

The home side, chasing a target of 393, were going well on 178-3 as Hassan Azad (62) and Mark Cosgrove (60) put on 81.

But Azad then fell to Raine and Durham took three wickets for one run with the new ball as they were all out for 273.

Raine ended the game by having Mohammad Abbas caught at slip and he was well supported by Nathan Rimmington (3-44) and Chris Rushworth (2-80).

Resuming on 58-1, Leicestershire added 39 before Raine had nightwatchman Chris Wright and Neil Dexter lbw in successive overs.

Azad and Cosgrove halted the decline - but the latter's dismissal, bowled off the inside edge by Rushworth as he attempted a square cut to leave them 234-6, effectively ended their hopes of victory.

Durham will be in action again on Saturday with a home game against Worcestershire, while bottom club Leicestershire, who are not involved in the next round of fixtures, have not won since their opening match of the season in early April.

Durham all-rounder Ben Raine told BBC Newcastle:

"I wasn't sure what to expect when I came back here. But as soon as I walked into the ground it was strong emotions again. I had six great years here and to be back here was special and I really enjoyed it.

"Hassan Azad has scored a weight of runs this year. I have played a lot of university games against him and every year he got runs against us. I knew he would be key to this innings and bat time, but I knew if I could get that end open we could go through them. Getting him was a massive wicket and a big moment in the game.

"It is the biggest turnaround in a match I have seen in my career. We let ourselves down in the first innings but we were quick to hold our hands up. The lads stepped up with Bancroft's 100, and 90s for Lees and night watchman Rimmington set us up. It is one of the better wins I have had in my career.

"We knew we had a massive few weeks with three straight away games. We are looking positively towards the rest of the season and I think we are genuine promotion contenders."

BBC Newcastle commentator Martin Emmerson

What a turnaround for Durham. Following four straight defeats and their worst start to a County Championship season, they have now gone five unbeaten.

This was only their second win on this ground and their first since 2005, and to recover from being bowled out for 117 on day one, to win by 119 runs is something special.

The final day was always going to be tough but once Durham broke the resistance of Hassan Azad and Mark Cosgrove victory was in sight.

Hats off to Ben Raine, who, on an emotional return to his former club, took a career-best match haul of 9-97.'