Steven Croft’s first 20-over half-century of the season set up Lancashire’s thumping 50-run Friends Provident t20 win over Durham Dynamos at Old Trafford.

The 25-year-old’s 68 off 45 balls, including seven fours and two sixes, was the fourth of his career in this format.

The Lightning comfortably defended their imposing 187 for eight which also included 36 off 26 from Australian overseas star Simon Katich and 32 not out off 19 from New Zealand all-rounder Nathan McCullum.

Left-arm spinner Stephen Parry claimed four for 28 from his four overs as Durham slumped to 137 all out in the 19th over. Liam Plunkett top scored with 31 off 24.

Steve Harmison claimed a career best five for 41 from his four overs for Durham and became the first man to take five wickets in this season’s compet-ition.

Lanca-shire lost Tom Smith, Stephen Moore and Paul Horton in the first six overs to Steve Harmison, Ben Harmison and Liam Plunkett but scored 55 runs.

Croft and Katich shared a fourth wicket partnership of 67 in seven overs through the middle of the innings.

Katich was bowled by Plunkett in the 14th over and Croft later edged Harmison behind to Phil Mustard to leave the hosts at 163 for five.

Harmison then bowled Gareth Cross and Glen Chapple and had Sajid Mahmood caught by his brother in the last over.

But Durham’s response got off to a disastrous start, losing Blackwell and Ross Taylor within three overs.

McCullum had Blackwell caught at backward point by Smith in the first and Taylor caught by Parry to leave the score at 13 for two.

Mustard hit 21 off 17 balls but was bowled by Mahmood in the sixth. Parry had Ben Stokes and Benkenstein caught at long off and long on by Simon Kerrigan and Croft in successive balls to leave the score at 63 for five in the eighth.

Parry later had Gareth Breese lbw and Will Smith caught in the covers by Katich with successive balls in the 12th.

Plunkett and Ben Harmison (24) shared a consolatory ninth wicket partnership of 52 but Kerrigan and Chapple added further wickets.