DALE Benkenstein’s sportsmanship cost Durham the chance to move level with visitors Nottinghamshire at the top of the Friends Provident Twenty20 Cup northern group yesterday.

Chasing the visitors’ 186 for four, Durham were 134 for four when Benkenstein, who was going well on 40, pulled the first ball of the 16th over to deep square leg.

Alex Hales held the catch off Darren Pattinson but staggered over the rope and threw the ball back into play before regaining his balance to complete the catch.

As there was no evidence that Hales was still inside the rope when he flipped the ball up the umpires were unable to give Benkenstein out.

But with the visitors protesting he walked across to speak to the fielder and accepted his word that the catch was legitimate, even though several Durham players in their dug-out 20 yards away were shouting that it was a six.

The match was not televised, so there was no official evidence, but Durham’s own video suggested that Hales’ foot was on the rope when he let go of the ball.

If that was the case it should have been a six and Durham would have been much more likely to go on to win, rather than losing by 11 runs.

Benkenstein said: “I didn’t have a great view of it. The umpires conferred and said they weren’t sure, so I had to go on the fielder’s word. It was a great piece of work and he said he was 100 per cent sure the catch was good.

“I was hoping he would say he wasn’t sure, then I would have stayed.

“I just feel this is the way the game should be played. If there was more of that in cricket it would be more enjoyable for everyone.

“The cameras weren’t here so we couldn’t use that technology.

That’s the main reason why you should ask the fielder.

“I looked the guy in the eye and asked him. It would be disappointing if his foot was on the rope.”

Nottinghamshire coach Mick Newell paid tribute to Benkenstein, saying: “Not many people in the game would have done that.”

In a similar situation in 2008 Benkenstein took Hampshire wicketkeeper Nic Pothas’ word that a catch had carried when the umpires weren’t sure and the video suggested it hadn’t.

Durham lost that match by four runs, but Benkenstein still had the pleasure of leading Durham to their first title a few weeks later.