Metro Bank One-Day Cup: Ben Stokes fires Durham to victory over Essex with Emilio Gay absent

Ben Stokes made a quickfire 43 to help Durham to a 20-run victory over Essex in their One-Day Cup Group B match at Darlington despite the absence of England Test opener Emilio Gay.

In a match reduced to 38 overs a side by early morning rain, Durham were put in to bat by Essex and fell to 30-3.

But former England captain Stokes hit 43 off 27 balls, hitting five fours and two sixes, before Colin Ackermann added an unbeaten 80 that helped them post 229-5.

Essex opener Noah Thain made 76 but the visitors lost the rest of their top order cheaply, and were bowled out for 209.

Gay sat out the match as a precaution after retiring hurt in Friday's loss to Middlesex.