Worcs v Durham: Day three tea
DURHAM ground Worcestershire down as they built an impreganable lead in their final County Championship match of the season.
They went in for tea at 592-7, with the biggest question about this match when or if Durham will declare.
Shivnarine Chanderpaul might be hoping Will Smith waits long enough for him to record the sixth double century of his illustrious career. He is currently 182 not out, his biggest score in three spells for the Riversiders. It is the latest in a very long line of records which have falen during Durham's last four-day game of their title-winning season.
The left-hander was ponderous before lunch but sped up after a bite to eat, guiding the ball between wicketkeeper and the very wide slip for his 150, made in 282 balls with 21 fours.
He lost partner Phil Mustard shortly after the interval, caught behind for 25 attempting a big drive.
It allowed Liam Plunkett to take the opportunity to boost his impressive batting average. A single into the legside from the 87th ball faced brought up a 50 which included eight fours.
It kept the Teessider's batting average for the season above 40. Combined with a County Championship wicket-haul which could yet reach 50 for the season, the 24-year-old could yet revive an England career which came to a halt three years ago if he can just smooth out the rough edges in his bowling.
His innings came to an end when he clipped Darly Mitchell of his legs and David Wheeldon raced off the midwicket boundary to take a catch by his bootlaces. Earlier in the over a very straight drive from Chanderpaul brought up the 100 partnership between the pair.
Read Saturday's Journal for a full report of day three.
