Worcs v Durham: Day Four Tea
AN astonishing post-lunch assault by wicketkeeper Steven Davies avoided the prospect of an innings defeat in a frustrating afternoon session for Durham at New Road.
His 97 helped Worcestershire to 345-7 at tea, a lead of 67.
Davies was playing his last Championship game before joining the New Road exodus to play for Surrey.
The England Twenty20 international tried to sign off in style by hitting the boundary which would take him to a 76-ball century, only to mistime it and be caught by substitute Scott Borthwick as he ran in from point.
It ended a torrent of runs to open the session, 118 in 17.3 overs, which edged Worcestershire in front.
Ian Blackwell and Mitchell Claydon were on the receiving end. Liam Plunkett was brought back to break the partnership between Davies and David Wheeldon and although the Teessider conceded a four from his second ball to extend the stand to 117, he sent Davies packing from his next delivery.
Davies' innings featured 13 fours and three sixes, the last of them tipped over the rope by Dale Benkenstein as he made up good ground across the boundary but could not hold on to the catch.
Davies, who brought up his 50 with a pulled six, survived a difficult stumping chance on 74 when Mustard was wrong-footed with the batsman stranded outside of his ground.
David Wheeldon top edged a log sweep to Blackwell soon after and was caught by Michael Di Venuto running back from slip. But it did not signal the start of a collapse on a flat wicket under blue skies.
Durham captain Will Smith brought himself on for the final over of the session and may even feel the need to throw the ball to the hobbling Stephen Harmison for the first time in the innings after it.
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