Durham Keen To Go All The Way
Benkenstein - Dreaming Of Victory.
Durham captain Dale Benkenstein hopes his side can make up for their Friends Provident Trophy agony by winning the Twenty20 Cup this weekend.
The Dynamos missed out on a second successive Lord's appearance in the 50-over competition earlier this month but they remain alive and well in the shorter format after securing a finals day spot last night.
Benkenstein's side will now face Middlesex in their semi-final at the Rose Bowl on Saturday after overcoming a sluggish start to beat Glamorgan by 44 runs in their delayed last-eight clash at the Riverside.
"It will be great for the club," said Benkenstein. "It was very disappointing not getting to Lord's.
"It was a tough week trying to get the guys going again after losing. This is obviously the next best thing, it's great to get to the finals day."
Victory over the Crusaders could give Durham the chance to avenge their FP Trophy loss to Kent, who face Essex in the other semi.
But, more importantly, it would also earn a shot at more silverware and a place in the new £2.5million Champions League competition this autumn.
Issues still remain over the Champions League due to the Indian board's insistence no player with connections to the rebel Indian Cricket League should be allowed to play.
Benkenstein is one such ICL player, but at present he insists he is not concerned.
He added: "I don't know if I'll be playing (in the Champions League) but for the team the main aim is to win competitions in England and if that takes us further, well that's a bonus.
"I think the team will be fine, they haven't really mentioned the team as much as individuals. The last thing I saw was individuals that have signed for ICL won't be able to play.
"I don't know how they can stop guys playing if they had nothing to do with it.
"From my own point of view I'm not that bothered but I don't see why we shouldn't play and I am hoping that it will be resolved."
Durham were struggling early on at 49 for four but Will Smith led their revival with 51 before Gareth Breese and Shaun Pollock helped club 55 off their final four overs.
Liam Plunkett, on his way to figures of three for 16, then took two wickets in the first over of Glamorgan's reply to leave the visitors facing an uphill struggle.
Jamie Dalrymple (32) and Mark Wallace (26) offered the Dragons hope but they eventually collapsed to 118 all out with Steve Harmison and Paul Collingwood claiming two wickets apiece.