Durham wicketkeeper Andrew Pratt made a career-best score for the second time in three days when he thrashed 86 off 72 balls in the Norwich Union League second division victory against Derbyshire at Chester-le-Street.

Durham reached 269 for eight, their highest 45-over score at the Riverside, and Derbyshire were 134 for five in the 29th over when rain arrived. Durham won by 33 runs under the Duckworth/Lewis method to move into second place.

Following his first-class best of 68 not out against the same opponents on Friday, Pratt opened the innings with Nicky Peng and they put on 128 before Peng fell for 50 in the 19th over.

Left-arm spinner Lian Wharton applied the brake, taking three for 23 in his nine overs, and Durham added only 75 between the 20th and 40th overs.

But they picked up 61 from the last five overs, with Danny Law hitting two sixes in making 21 off 13 balls.

Stephen Harmison, returning after illness, took the first three wickets as Derbyshire slipped to 69 for four.

Rob Bailey, captain in the absence of Dominic Cork and Michael Di Venuto, who has a groin injury, steadied the ship with 31 not out without threatening to propel his side to victory.

© CricInfo