DURHAM'S title hopes are fading fast as Worcestershire's batsmen dug in at Chester-le-Street this morning.

The gale-forced winds of day one had gone, but the blue skies remained, and Vikram Solanki and James Cameron made good use of the conditions, adding an unbroken 104 before lunch.

Worcestershire, who will confirm their place in Division One by reaching 300 regardless of the outcome of any of this week's results, were 118-1 at the interval. Solanki was 62 not out, while Cameron has 49.

The classy Solanki was in excellent touch, cover-driving Graham Onions and Callum Thorp for fours. The former England one-day international did not bother running too much, hitting 11 boundaries in his 72-ball 50. He brought the landmark up with a cut off Mitchell Claydon.

He was helped by some aggressive fields, with Durham realising they have no choice but to win with maximum bowling points if Phil Mustard is to become their third captain in four years to win the title. At one point with Claydon bowling to a well-set Cameron there were four slips, two gullies and a point in position.

The visitors reached three figures from the first ball of the 34th over, Cameron driving through wide mid-on.

The partnership reached 100 when Solanki cut a single to the cover boundary. He and Cameron had been together for 193 balls.

Left-hander Cameron was on 49 when he poked Ian Blackwell just beyond the reach of Will Smith at silly point.

Durham will not win the title if Warwickshire can equal their bowling points tally in the respective first innings, or if Lancashire can claim four batting points at Lancashire.

Wednesday's Journal will have a full report of day two of Durham's final match of the 2011 season.