** BREAKING NEWS **

OTTIS Gibson struck two incredible early blows as Hampshire were reduced to 0-2 in their pursuit of Durham's total of 312-5 in the Friends Provident Trophy final at Lord's.

The Barbadian, who claimed ten Hampshire wickets in an innings earlier this season, struck with the first two balls of Hampshire's innings after Durham's batsmen had given the North-Easterners the upper hand in their first major final.

Michael Lumb and Sean Ervine both edged Gibson to Michael Di Venuto at second slip as Hampshire made the worst possible start to their daunting run chase.

Earlier, Durham made 312-5 from their 50 overs after they were put in to bat at an overcast Lord's.

West Indian batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul top-scored with a quickfire 78 but, with every Durham batsman making it into double figures, Dale Benkenstein's side can look back on an impressive team effort as they prepare to defend their score.

Di Venuto was the first batsman to depart for 12, drilling a low catch to Michael Carberry at square leg, but fellow opener Phil Mustard provided Durham with a whirlwind start by cracking 49 runs off 38 balls.

The Sunderland-born wicketkeeper produced a succession of improvised chips and pulls, but his salvo came to an end when he was adjudged leg before to James Bruce despite the ball having pitched outside the leg stump.

Mustard's dismissal brought Chanderpaul to the wicket, and the West Indian quickly added a century partnership with Scotsman Kyle Coetzer.

Coetzer made 61 before he drilled a catch to Shane Warne in the covers, but Chanderpaul continued to attack as Hampshire's bowlers struggled to stem the flood of runs.

He looked to be on his way to a well-deserved century, but his innings came to an abrupt end following a mix-up with Paul Collingwood.

The England one-day skipper turned Chanderpaul back as he set off for a second run, and Carberry's well-judged throw from the outfield saw him run out for 78.

That should have enabled Hampshire to peg Durham back, but after Collingwood was dismissed for a streaky 22, Benkenstein and Gibson plundered 33 off the last two overs.

Benkenstein finished with an unbeaten 61 from 43 balls, and Gibson plundered a six and a four to smash 15 not out off seven.