Durham Cricket Club was formed in 1882. It rose from minor county status to three-time County Championship winners in a few decades, a rarity for any new club.
The club gained first-class status in 1992 and quickly made an impact. Its success came from its academy and stars like Paul Collingwood and Ben Stokes.
This guide covers all of Durham’s title wins across formats. It includes the Gillette Cup upset of 1973 and recent victories at Riverside.
These wins include the Friends Provident Trophy, Royal London Cup, and County Championships.
Overall Titles Won By Durham Cricket Club
Durham’s trophy cabinet reflects the club’s remarkable transformation from minor county status to first-class excellence, showcasing achievements across multiple formats and competitions.
| Year | Competition | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 1900 | Minor Counties Championship | Winners |
| 1910 | Minor Counties Championship | Winners |
| 1976 | Minor Counties Championship | Winners |
| 1980 | Minor Counties Championship | Winners |
| 1981 | Minor Counties Championship | Winners |
| 1984 | Minor Counties Championship | Winners |
| 1985 | Minor Counties Championship | Winners |
| 1991 | Minor Counties Championship | Winners |
| 2007 | Friends Provident Trophy | Winners |
| 2008 | County Championship Division One | Winners |
| 2008 | Second XI Championship | Winners |
| 2009 | County Championship Division One | Winners |
| 2013 | County Championship Division One | Winners |
| 2014 | Royal London One-Day Cup | Winners |
| 2023 | Vitality Blast | Runners-up |
Durham were Minor Counties Champions a record-equalling nine times between 1900 and 1984, firmly establishing themselves as the most successful minor county.
Their consistent dominance laid the foundation for first-class status in 1992, where they continued their winning tradition in the professional ranks with major titles.
Titles Durham Has Won – Overview By Format
Durham’s success spans multiple cricket formats, from their dominance in minor counties cricket to their remarkable achievements after gaining first-class status in 1992.
1. Minor Counties Championships (Pre-1992)
Winners (9 times): 1900, 1910, 1976, 1980, 1981, 1984, 1985, 1991 (Joint record holders during the era)
Durham were Minor Counties Champions a record equalling nine times between 1900 and 1984.
Their dominance included going 65 games unbeaten between 1975 and 1982, and winning four titles between 1976 and 1984, demonstrating sustained excellence that eventually earned them first-class status.
2. County Championship – Division One
Winners (3 times): 2008, 2009, 2013 (Notably retained in 2009 with a dominant seam attack led by Graham Onions and Liam Plunkett)
Durham won the County Championship in 2008 for the first time, retained the trophy in the 2009 season, and then won it for a third time in 2013.
Their back-to-back victories in 2008-09 established them as a formidable force in English domestic cricket within just 16 years of gaining first-class status.
3. Friends Provident Trophy
Winners (1 time): 2007 (First-ever senior silverware, defeating Hampshire in the final at Lord’s)
The 2007 Friends Provident Trophy triumph marked Durham’s breakthrough moment in senior cricket.
It provided the foundation and confidence that fueled their County Championship victories and established them as genuine contenders across all formats.
4. Royal London One-Day Cup
Winners (1 time): 2014 (Topped the competition with explosive batting performances and disciplined bowling displays)
Durham’s 2014 Royal London Cup victory demonstrated their white-ball prowess. It completed a collection that included both red-ball championships and limited-overs success, showcasing the depth and versatility of their squad across formats.
5. Second XI Championship
Winners (1 time): 2008 (Same year as their County Championship win—a dominant club effort across all levels)
In 2008, Durham Cricket won the LV County Championship and the Second Eleven Championship, both for the first time in the Club’s history.
This double achievement highlighted the strength throughout their system and the effectiveness of their player development programs.
6. T20 Blast / Vitality Blast
Runners-up: 2008, 2023 (Close calls in the shortest format, but no silverware yet despite reaching two finals)
While Durham has excelled in longer formats, the T20 Blast remains their elusive prize.
Their finals appearances in 2008 and 2023 show consistent competitiveness in T20 cricket, though they continue seeking their first title in this format.
The Rise of Durham Cricket Club: From Minor To Major
The journey from minor county cricket to being County Championship winners at Durham is an extraordinary tale in English cricket.
Founded in 1882, Durham was established for over 100 years as a minor counties cricket club and ruled the roost in the minor counties.
They made history in 1973 as the first minor county to defeat a first-class county in the Gillette Cup; they defeated Yorkshire. This win was a precursor to their next chapter in elite cricket.
Durham’s dominance in the minor counties made little sense as not a lot of teams can boast an unbeaten run of 65 games from 1975 to 1982.
Officials could not understand the club’s consistent dominance, so much so that they ruled they had outgrown their minor county status.
Durham was officially a first-class county in December 1991 and represented itself as the youngest County in the County Championship in 1992.
Durham’s transition to first-class cricket was fast and successful. Only 16 years after its first-class status was gained, Durham won its first County Championship in 2008. This level of success typically takes countries decades to achieve.
They had made wise investments in facilities, particularly at Riverside Ground, and they developed some of England’s finest cricketers, Steve Harmison, Ben Stokes, and Mark Wood, through a strong academy system.
Durham had strong leaders, including Geoff Cook, who managed and drove the club’s development toward first-class status.
Paul Collingwood, as captain, brought leadership, tactical skill, and inspiration that proved crucial in their Championship win.
Durham created a driven purpose, winning culture through their facilities, player, and leadership development from 1992.
Iconic Players in Durham’s Title-Winning Runs
Durham’s championship successes were built around key players who delivered match-winning performances across different formats and competitions.
| Player | Role |
|---|---|
| Paul Collingwood | Captain, All-rounder |
| Graham Onions | Fast Bowler |
| Ben Stokes | All-rounder |
| Michael Di Venuto | Batsman |
| Chris Rushworth | Fast Bowler |
| Phil Mustard | Wicketkeeper-Batsman |
These players formed the backbone of Durham’s golden era, combining local talent development with key overseas players and strategic signings to create championship-winning combinations across multiple seasons and formats.
Durham Cricket Club Home Ground Over The Years
Durham’s home venue has evolved significantly since the club gained first-class status, reflecting its growing stature in English cricket.
| Name Evolution | Years |
|---|---|
| Riverside Ground | 1995–2010 |
| Emirates Durham ICG | 2010–2016 |
| Emirates Riverside | 2016–2022 |
| Seat Unique Riverside | 2022–2025 |
| Banks Homes Riverside | From 2025 |
The Riverside has hosted Tests, ODIs, T20Is, World Cup matches, and county finals, cementing its status as a North-East cricketing fortress.
Built specifically for Durham’s elevation to first-class status, the ground represents the club’s ambition and has become synonymous with their success.
The venue’s modern facilities and intimate atmosphere have created a genuine home advantage, contributing significantly to Durham’s trophy-winning campaigns across all formats.
Durham’s Role in English Cricket
Durham has become a crucial contributor to England’s national squad, producing world-class talents including Steve Harmison, Ben Stokes, and Mark Wood, who have all played pivotal roles in England’s recent successes.
Their strong academy programs, backed by ECB investment and expertise, have established Durham as a model county for post-1990s cricket development, proving that newer counties can compete with and surpass traditional establishments.
Recent Performances of Durham Cricket Club
Durham continues to compete at the highest level across all formats, maintaining their status as a genuine contender in domestic cricket.
| Year | County Championship | One-Day Cup | T20 Blast |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Season cancelled | N/A | N/A |
| 2021 | Mid-table finish | Group Stage | Group Stage |
| 2022 | Progressing performance | Quarter-finals | Group Stage |
| 2023 | Top 4 finish | Group Stage | Runners-up |
| 2024 | Title contenders | Semi-finals | Quarter-finals |
Durham’s recent form shows consistent competitiveness across formats, with their 2023 T20 Blast final appearance demonstrating continued ambition for silverware in the shortest format while maintaining strong championship credentials.
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Conclusion: Durham Cricket Club Has Won 15 Major Titles!
Durham Cricket Club is the youngest first-class county club in England. Still, it has a trophy cabinet that rivals older clubs.
They have won nine Minor Counties titles. They gained fame fast. They won three County Championships and two major one-day trophies.
Graduates from their academy have represented England. This shows that the club is serious in every format of the game.
Durham’s rise from minor county to championship giants is impressive. Their Second XI Championship win adds to their success.
This transformation is one of cricket’s modern success stories. Any county cricket fan should pay attention to them.
FAQs
In 1992, after receiving approval from the Test & County Cricket Board, following decades of Minor Counties dominance.
Three: in 2008, 2009, and 2013 – all achieved within just 21 years of gaining first-class status.
The Friends Provident Trophy (2007) and the Royal London One-Day Cup (2014) established them as formidable limited-overs competitors.
No, but they finished runners-up in 2008 and 2023, showing consistent competitiveness in the shortest format.
Banks Homes Riverside Stadium in Chester-le-Street, previously known by various sponsor names, has been their home since 1995.
Nine titles between 1900 and 1991, making them joint record holders and the most successful minor county before gaining first-class status.
