Worcs v Durham: Day Four lunch
LIAM Plunkett took three wickets and could have had two more as Durham pushed for victory at Worcestershire without Stephen Harmison today.
The sub-plot of the Riversiders' final day of County Championship cricket in 2009 is the Teessider's attempt to reach 50 wickets in this season's competition.
Yesterday he made it to 400 runs with the bat (averaging an impressive 44) and he could have had his half-century with the ball by lunch today had his fielders not dropped two catches.
He bowled all but the last two overs from the New Road End in the morning for figures of 14-0-63-3. His economy rate did not look good, but was more a reflection of the attacking fields set than any wayward bowling on his part.
Plunkett had Daryl Mitchell caught behind by Phil Mustard pushing forward half-heartedly to the 19th ball of the morning.
Moeen Ali was lbw playing across the ball on the backfoot and when home captain Vikram Solanki jabbed down on the ball with 31 to his name, it span back onto his stumps.
It was fortune Plunkett deserved after two dropped catches. Harmison reprieved Ali in the gully when the left-hander was on eight, and Mark Davies put down a difficult low catch at square leg when he was 15.
After some eye-catching strokes, Alexei Kervezee edge just in front of third slip Kyle Coetzer off Plunkett on 39. At the interval he was three short of his half century.
Harmison has not yet bowled in the innings because of a swollen knee. He was on the field throughout, presumably so he can give Durham one last burst for the season if needed.
Worcestershire went in for lunch on 168-4, with Durham needing six more wickets for victory preferably before the hosts score the 111 more needed to make them bat again.
