County Championship: Scott Borthwick leads Durham to victory

Scott Borthwick finished three runs short of his 10th first-class century

Scott Borthwick hit an unbeaten 97 as Durham clinched a six-wicket victory against Sussex at Chester-le-Street.

Requiring just a further 147 runs to reach a target of 262, paceman Ajmal Shahzad (4-86) bowled Michael Richardson for eight in the third over.

Borthwick and Calum MacLeod (26) shared an 83-run fourth-wicket partnership before the latter lofted a cut off Shahzad to Steve Magoffin at third man.

But Borthwick hit successive fours off Oliver Robinson to seal Durham's win.

Shahzad, who took all four of Durham's second-innings wickets, has taken 20 first-class wickets in his three Championship matches for Sussex since joining them from Nottinghamshire at the start of the season.

But it was Borthwick, who like Shahzad has one England cap under his belt, who claimed the plaudits on the final day - hitting 13 fours in his 143-ball innings.

The right-handed batsman also shared an unbeaten 58-run fifth-wicket partnership with captain Paul Collingwood (35 not out) to ease the hosts home.

Sussex still top the early Division One table despite falling to their first loss of the campaign, while Durham are five points behind after recording their second win in two matches.

Durham all-rounder Scott Borthwick:

"The captain asked me if I wanted to get my century when I was on 89 and we needed 11, but I said there was no point in messing around. I'm just happy to get a good win.

"It was the sort of pitch where you never really felt in. We knew we didn't need to score quickly but felt if we could get through the first hour it would get a bit easier.

"I was also there at the end when we won at Taunton. It's a good feeling - you feel like you've earned a beer."

Sussex cricket manager Mark Robinson:

"We fought hard and came up a bit short, but we are missing a few bodies and I'm pleased with what we have done here.

"It's a tricky place to come."