Gareth Delany takes Leicestershire to comfortable victory over Durham

Leicestershire's first two games against Derbyshire and Lancashire were rained off, while Durham lost to Lancashire and Nottinghamshire – there was already something of a 'must-win' feel about the match

Leicestershire chalked up their first win in this year's Vitality Blast, with half-centuries from Gareth Delaney and Arron Lilley helping them on their way to a comfortable 30-run victory over a Durham side which has now lost all three matches played.

With this year's Vitality Blast being a ten-game competition - Leicestershire's first two games against Derbyshire and Lancashire were rained off, while Durham lost to Lancashire and Nottinghamshire – there was already something of a 'must-win' feel about the match.

Batting first after winning the toss, Leicestershire quickly lost Harry Dearden, caught at cover after skying an attempted drive at Paul Coughlin, but Ireland international Delany, regularly clearing his front leg and targeting the off-side, hit the ball cleanly from the start.

He was fortunate not to be stumped when he advanced down the wicket to left-arm spinner Liam Trevaskis, wicketkeeper Stuart Poynter failing to gather the ball cleanly, but otherwise gave no chances in going to his half-century off 35 balls, including six fours and two sixes.

He had made 68 from 45 deliveries, before Trevaskis finally got his man, top-edging a straightforward catch to Scott Steel short fine leg in the 13th over.

Leicestershire's new way forward: Colin Ackermann's grand plan to transform Foxes' fortunes

The momentum was maintained by Arron Lilley, and in some style. The Lancastrian also had a moment of fortune, on 17, when Rimmington at mid-off was unable to hold a hard-hit drive off the bowling off Brydon Carse, but hit two sixes and five fours in going to his 50 off 33 balls as the Foxes posted a challenging 177-6.

Needing nine runs an over, Durham struggled from the start. Leicestershire's seamers judged the wicket well, taking the pace off the ball, and the spinners, led by left-armer Callum Parkinson, maintained the pressure.

The key wicket was that of Alex Lees, and while the big left-hander could consider himself unlucky when having made 36 he pulled a delivery from Will Davis straight into the hands of George Rhodes at deep square leg, the pressure was already beginning to tell.

Parkinson, Leicestershire's top wicket-taker in last season's T20 Blast, picked up three wickets, the last a brilliant caught and bowled to dismiss Carse, and having impressed with the bat, Delany also demonstrated his all-round abilities with some useful leg-spin.

For unrivalled coverage of the county season, subscribe to The Cricketer and receive 3 issues for £5

Subscribe to The Cricketer for exclusive content every day: The inside track on England's Test tour with George Dobell in Pakistan, award-winning analysis, breaking news and interviews and the only place for in-depth county coverage all year round. Plus: An ad-free app experience at your fingertips. Subscribe to thecricketer.com today for just £1.