Worcs v Durham: Day three lunch
DALE Benkenstein and Shivnarine Chanderpaul compiled their second double century partnership in three games as Durham pressed home their advantage at New Road.
Durham's goal in this match must be to bat once and they are well placed to do so having gone it at lunch 118 ahead on 474 for five.
Chanderpaul was 128 not out at the interval as he makes up for lost time after a much-delayed start to his county campaign. Phil Mustard was with him having cracked a wonderful off drive to end the session on 20.
Benkenstein took 162 balls to make his 16th First-Class century for Durham, and fifth of the season. He did it by pulling a short ball from Chris Whelan for his 18th four of the innings.
He had 109 to his name when he pushed forward to Gareth Andrew and was caught behind.
It ended a partnership of 226, the second biggest for the fourth wicket by Durham.
Ian Blackwell also missed out on a landmark, falling 51 short of 1,000 First-Class runs in his debut Durham season.
Off the mark with a four behind point, he made it to 800 County Championship runs for 2009 but played across a good Richard Jones ball and was lbw for nine. Batting at six for a team so in control of this match, he is unlikely to get another chance to add to his tally.
With exactly 120 overs completed in Durham's innings, they have acquired maximum bonus points in this match.
Read Saturday's Journal for a full report of day three.
