Lancashire vs Durham Prediction – 1st Quarter Final ODI 2026
The Lancashire vs Durham prediction for the 1st Quarter Final of the Metro Bank One-Day Cup 2026 is one of the most closely watched domestic 50-over contests of the day. Lancashire enter this knockout match after finishing second in Group A with five wins from eight games, while Durham also recorded five victories and three defeats to finish third in Group B.
Lancashire produced a remarkable statement in their final group game, smashing 443/6 against Somerset before bowling the opposition out for 269 and winning by 174 runs. Keaton Jennings was outstanding in that match, scoring 156, while 18-year-old Rocky Flintoff added a sensational 123. George Balderson and Tom Aspinwall then took four wickets apiece.
Durham also arrive with considerable quality, particularly through all-rounder Will Rhodes, who has been their leading run-scorer and wicket-taker with 310 runs and 12 wickets. Former England Test captain Ben Stokes is another major attraction for the visitors and has chosen to represent Durham in the One-Day Cup despite the Hundred taking place simultaneously.
The quarter-final will be played at Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester, on Friday, August 14, with the official local start time of 11:00 AM, equivalent to 3:30 PM IST. Lancashire also have home advantage and excellent recent momentum after their record-breaking performance against Somerset. Their 443/6 was the highest List A total in the county’s history, giving the Red Rose enormous confidence before the knockout stage.
Durham, however, cannot be underestimated because their balanced batting order includes Alex Lees, David Bedingham, Ben Stokes, Colin Ackermann and Will Rhodes. The last meeting between these sides in the 2025 One-Day Cup was won by Durham by four wickets, so the visitors know they can challenge Lancashire.
With Lancashire’s home advantage, superior recent momentum and Jennings coming off a huge century, they appear to have the edge in this important quarter-final. The winner will progress to face Middlesex at Radlett in the semi-final on Sunday, August 16.
Lancashire vs Durham Match Details
| Match Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | Lancashire vs Durham |
| Match Number | 1st Quarter Final |
| Tournament | Metro Bank One-Day Cup 2026 |
| Format | ODI / List A |
| Date | Friday, August 14, 2026 |
| Time | 3:30 PM IST |
| Local Time | 11:00 AM BST |
| Venue | Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester |
| Lancashire Captain | George Balderson |
| Durham Captain | Kasey Aldridge |
| Lancashire Group Position | 2nd in Group A |
| Durham Group Position | 3rd in Group B |
| Lancashire Group Record | 5 Wins, 3 Losses |
| Durham Group Record | 5 Wins, 3 Losses |
| Prediction | Lancashire to win |
The official Lancashire and Durham match previews confirm the quarter-final at Emirates Old Trafford on Friday, August 14 at 11:00 AM local time.
Lancashire Team Preview
Lancashire have enjoyed a significantly stronger One-Day Cup campaign in 2026 and enter this quarter-final with genuine hopes of progressing to the semi-finals. They finished second in Group A with five victories from eight matches, missing direct qualification for the semi-final only on net run rate.
The Red Rose could hardly have asked for a better finish to their group campaign. Against Somerset, Lancashire posted an extraordinary 443/6, their highest-ever List A total.
Keaton Jennings was the principal architect of that huge score. The experienced left-hander scored 156 and shared a 214-run fourth-wicket partnership with Rocky Flintoff.
Flintoff’s performance was equally impressive. The teenager smashed 123, registering his maiden county century and becoming one of the most exciting young players in Lancashire’s current setup.
Jennings has been the team’s most consistent batter throughout the competition. His ability to bat for long periods while maintaining a healthy scoring rate gives Lancashire an ideal foundation in 50-over cricket.
Marcus Harris provides further experience in the middle order. The Australian left-hander has been one of Lancashire’s dependable contributors, while Josh Bohannon remains capable of producing a match-defining innings.
Matthew Hurst adds wicketkeeping quality and attacking ability, while Harry Singh and George Bell provide further batting depth.
The bowling department is equally encouraging. George Balderson has led from the front with both leadership and seam bowling. He produced four wickets against Somerset and has been one of Lancashire’s most important players throughout the tournament.
Tom Bailey and Jack Blatherwick offer experience with the ball, while Arav Shetty provides another option in the bowling attack.
Lancashire’s current squad has also been strengthened by the return of Tom Aspinwall from the Hundred. He took four wickets in the victory over Somerset and adds useful batting depth as well.
There are still some absences because of injuries and franchise commitments. Paul Coughlin and Mitchell Stanley are unavailable, while several senior players remain tied to the Hundred.
Nevertheless, Lancashire’s available group has performed exceptionally well. Their biggest advantage is momentum. Scoring 443 immediately before a knockout match can have a significant psychological impact.
Playing at Emirates Old Trafford provides another advantage. Lancashire know the conditions well and will have strong home support.
Overall, Lancashire possess the batting form, bowling depth and home advantage required to make a serious challenge for the One-Day Cup title.
Durham Team Preview
Durham have also enjoyed a strong One-Day Cup campaign and deserve considerable credit for reaching the quarter-finals. They finished third in Group B after recording five wins and three defeats, securing their knockout place through net run rate.
Their campaign has been built around a balanced squad rather than dependence on one individual. However, Will Rhodes has undoubtedly been their standout performer.
Rhodes has scored 310 runs and taken 12 wickets, making him Durham’s leading run-scorer and leading wicket-taker in the competition. Lancashire themselves describe him as the opposition player to watch.
His value is enormous because he contributes in both departments. He can anchor the innings in the middle order and then provide controlled seam bowling.
Alex Lees is another experienced batter who can provide stability at the top. David Bedingham gives Durham a powerful overseas batting option, while Ben McKinney adds further aggression.
Ben Stokes is arguably the biggest name in the Durham squad. The former England Test captain has opted to play for Durham in the One-Day Cup despite the Hundred running simultaneously. His experience and all-round ability can be decisive in a knockout fixture.
Stokes does not need to dominate with bat or ball to influence the contest. His presence provides Durham with an experienced middle-order option and another bowling resource.
Colin Ackermann adds further versatility, while Ollie Robinson has already demonstrated his ability to perform against Lancashire.
The wicketkeeper-batter played a match-winning innings of 80 not out against Lancashire in their previous One-Day Cup meeting, helping Durham chase 321 with nine balls remaining.
Kasey Aldridge is leading Durham in the List A competition and provides another seam-bowling all-round option.
Callum Parkinson and Shafiqullah Ghafari add variety to the bowling attack, while James Minto provides a promising young pace option.
Durham’s major disadvantage is the loss of several players because of Hundred commitments. Graham Clark, Matthew Potts, Brydon Carse and Ben Raine remain unavailable.
Duanne Olivier has also dropped out of the latest squad, making the bowling resources slightly less experienced.
Still, Durham’s qualification itself demonstrates that they have enough quality to compete.
Their biggest challenge will be handling Lancashire’s batting momentum. If they can dismiss Jennings and Flintoff early, the contest could become much closer.
Durham therefore have the players to cause an upset, but they will need a near-complete performance in all three departments.
Lancashire Squad
| Player | Role |
| George Balderson | Captain / All-rounder |
| Tom Aspinwall | All-rounder |
| Tom Bailey | Bowler |
| Charlie Barnard | Bowler |
| George Bell | Wicketkeeper-Batter |
| Jack Blatherwick | Bowler |
| Josh Bohannon | Batter |
| Rocky Flintoff | Batter |
| Luke Hands | Batter |
| Marcus Harris | Batter |
| Matty Hurst | Wicketkeeper-Batter |
| Keaton Jennings | Batter |
| Joe Moores | Wicketkeeper-Batter |
| Arav Shetty | Bowler |
| Harry Singh | Batter |
| Ben Walkden | Bowler |
This is Lancashire’s latest 16-man quarter-final squad announced by the club.
Durham Squad
| Player | Role |
| Colin Ackermann | All-rounder |
| Kasey Aldridge | Captain / All-rounder |
| David Bedingham | Batter |
| George Drissell | Bowler |
| Shafiqullah Ghafari | Bowler |
| Alex Lees | Batter |
| Ben McKinney | Batter |
| James Minto | Bowler |
| Callum Parkinson | Spinner |
| Will Rhodes | All-rounder |
| Luke Robinson | Bowler |
| Ollie Robinson | Wicketkeeper-Batter |
| Ben Stokes | All-rounder |
Durham’s official quarter-final squad contains 13 players, with Duanne Olivier omitted from the group that travelled to Manchester.
Probable Playing XI
Lancashire Playing XI
| No. | Player | Role |
| 1 | Keaton Jennings | Batter |
| 2 | Matthew Hurst | Wicketkeeper-Batter |
| 3 | Josh Bohannon | Batter |
| 4 | Marcus Harris | Batter |
| 5 | Rocky Flintoff | Batter |
| 6 | Harry Singh | Batter |
| 7 | Jack Blatherwick | Bowler |
| 8 | Arav Shetty | Bowler |
| 9 | George Balderson | Captain / All-rounder |
| 10 | Tom Bailey | Bowler |
| 11 | Tom Aspinwall | All-rounder |
Durham Playing XI
| No. | Player | Role |
| 1 | Ben McKinney | Batter |
| 2 | Alex Lees | Batter |
| 3 | Will Rhodes | All-rounder |
| 4 | David Bedingham | Batter |
| 5 | Ben Stokes | All-rounder |
| 6 | Colin Ackermann | All-rounder |
| 7 | Ollie Robinson | Wicketkeeper-Batter |
| 8 | Kasey Aldridge | Captain / All-rounder |
| 9 | Callum Parkinson | Spinner |
| 10 | Shafiqullah Ghafari | Bowler |
| 11 | Luke Robinson | Bowler |
Probable XIs can change after the toss and final team announcement.
Favourite Team in Today’s Match – Lancashire
Lancashire are our favourite team for this quarter-final because they enter the knockout stage with exceptional batting momentum and home advantage.
Their final group-stage performance was outstanding. They scored 443/6 against Somerset, with Keaton Jennings making 156 and Rocky Flintoff scoring 123. The bowlers then dismissed Somerset for 269.
Jennings is arguably the biggest difference between the sides at present. His consistency at the top gives Lancashire a reliable platform, while Flintoff’s explosive century adds another dimension.
George Balderson also provides valuable balance with his seam bowling and leadership.
Durham have Will Rhodes, Ben Stokes and David Bedingham, so they possess enough quality to challenge Lancashire.
However, Lancashire’s recent form, deeper batting resources and familiarity with Emirates Old Trafford make them the stronger side on paper.
Favourite Team: Lancashire
Emirates Old Trafford Pitch Report
Emirates Old Trafford generally provides a good surface for List A cricket, although Manchester’s conditions can make the new ball important. Seamers may receive movement early if there is cloud cover or moisture in the pitch. Once batters settle, stroke-making becomes easier and the large boundaries can still be negotiated by players who time the ball well. The venue’s weather can be unpredictable, so captains will closely assess overhead conditions. Lancashire’s familiarity with their home surface is a significant advantage. A first-innings total around 270-290 should provide a competitive platform, while a score above 300 would put substantial pressure on the chasing team.
Weather Report
| Weather Factor | Prediction |
| Venue | Manchester, England |
| Date | Friday, August 14 |
| Temperature | Mild |
| Conditions | Partly cloudy |
| Rain Risk | Possible showers |
| Humidity | Moderate to high |
| Wind | Moderate |
| Match Impact | Seam-friendly if cloudy |
Manchester weather can change quickly in August, and showers remain a possibility. The match begins at 11:00 AM local time, so both teams will want to exploit the morning conditions. Cloud cover could assist seam bowling early, while interruptions would make the toss and DLS calculations important.
Broadcast Details
The official Lancashire announcement states that the quarter-final will be broadcast live on LancsTV, with ball-by-ball radio commentary from BBC Radio Lancashire available through the BBC Sport website and app. Durham’s match centre will also provide live updates.
Broadcast: LancsTV
Toss Prediction
Our toss prediction is Lancashire to win the toss.
If Lancashire win the toss, they could prefer to bat first and use their exceptional batting form to establish scoreboard pressure. Their 443/6 against Somerset shows how destructive this lineup can become when conditions are favourable.
Durham may prefer bowling first if there is cloud cover because their seamers could exploit the new ball.
Toss Winner Prediction: Lancashire
Toss Decision: Bat First
Probable Batsman & Bowler
| Category | Player | Reason |
| Best Batter – Lancashire | Keaton Jennings | 560 runs and coming off 156 |
| Best Batter – Durham | Will Rhodes | 310 runs and consistent middle-order form |
| Explosive Batter | Rocky Flintoff | 123 in the previous match |
| Experienced Batter | Ben Stokes | Proven big-match performer |
| Best Bowler – Lancashire | George Balderson | 13 wickets and four in the last game |
| Best Bowler – Durham | Will Rhodes | 12 wickets in the competition |
| Key Bowling Threat | Kasey Aldridge | Useful seam-bowling all-rounder |
| Dark Horse | Tom Aspinwall | Four wickets against Somerset |
Keaton Jennings is the standout batting selection for Lancashire after scoring 560 runs in the competition and producing a sensational 156 in the final group match. Rocky Flintoff’s 123 adds further momentum to the Red Rose batting order. For Durham, Will Rhodes is the obvious all-round pick because his 310 runs and 12 wickets make him their most influential player. He has also recorded major individual performances with both bat and ball. Ben Stokes is another player who could change the match because of his ability to contribute in both departments. If conditions favour seam bowling, George Balderson and Tom Aspinwall could become particularly important for Lancashire.
Lancashire vs Durham Winning Chances?
| Team | Winning Chance | Why They Can Win | Why They May Lose |
| Lancashire | 78% | Home advantage, Jennings’ form, strong batting momentum, balanced bowling | Early wickets could expose the middle order |
| Durham | 22% | Rhodes, Stokes and Bedingham provide match-winning quality | Several key players unavailable and less momentum |
Why Lancashire Can Win
Lancashire have the stronger recent momentum. Their 443/6 against Somerset was a record List A total for the county, and they followed it by dismissing Somerset for 269.
They also have home advantage at Emirates Old Trafford and a settled core around Jennings, Harris, Bohannon, Flintoff and Balderson.
Why Durham Can Win
Durham’s biggest advantage is their all-round quality. Will Rhodes has been excellent, while Ben Stokes provides huge experience in pressure situations.
Ollie Robinson also has a good recent record against Lancashire, having scored 80 not out in Durham’s four-wicket victory over them in 2025.
If Durham’s top order survives the new-ball spell, they can make this a very competitive quarter-final.
Lancashire vs Durham Match Prediction
Lancashire are our predicted winners for the 1st Quarter Final of the Metro Bank One-Day Cup 2026. Their batting is in outstanding form after scoring a record 443/6 against Somerset, while Keaton Jennings and Rocky Flintoff enter this match with huge confidence. Durham have Will Rhodes and Ben Stokes, but Lancashire’s home advantage and stronger recent momentum give them the edge. We expect Lancashire to control the contest and advance to the semi-final against Middlesex.
Our Winner: Lancashire
Winning Chance: Lancashire 78% – Durham 22%
Toss Prediction: Lancashire
Best Batter: Keaton Jennings
Best Bowler: George Balderson
Final Prediction: Lancashire Will Win
Also, once the toss takes place, we might modify the Today Match Prediction as per the playing XIs. Please check this blog after the toss for the updated Prediction.
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