A second four-wicket haul lifted Imran Tahir to the top of the Vitality Blast T20 bowlers’ list in England, after accumulating 15 wickets in eight matches.

Tahir was ‘rested’ for the Proteas’ tour of Sri Lanka, but is keeping himself gainfully occupied with Durham while Tabraiz Shamsi and Keshav Maharaj joust for the position of backup ahead of the World Cup next year.

The leg break googly guru’s 4-16 against Northampton on Thursday ensured he retained the best economy rate in the competition at 6.34, giving him an average of 13.53.

Alongside him on 15 wickets are Ish Sodhi, the Kiwi leg break bowler now with Nottinghamshire (after nine matches), and seam bowler Patrick Brown of Worcestershire (after seven matches, with an economy rate 0f 8.68).

Tahir, who picked up his tournament best of 4-14 in just his second game with Durham, was Man of the Match as Durham won their fifth match in a row and climbed to the top of the North group with 12 points from eight matches. Durham had scored 170-4 while Northants were skittled for 95.

Elsewhere, there has been a useful contribution from former Dolphins seamer Matt Pillans, who has 10 wickets from six matches for Surrey, and is ranked 14th on the bowlers’ list.

Northampton’s Richard Levi, who was dismissed for two on Thursday, nevertheless remains the best Saffa batsman on show with 229 runs from eight matches, with a best of 95 and an average of 32.71, striking at 154.

Photo: Ian Horrocks/Getty Images