DURHAM'S title charge is running out of steam at Chester-le-Street today, as relegation-threatened Worcestershire close in on the points they need to escape relegation.
The visitors were 255-3 at tea, with Vikram Solanki 104 not out.
James Cameron took three balls to reach his 108-ball 50. He came down the track to Ian Blackwell and hit him for four through mid-off. He hit the next ball for six through long-off.
He had reached 70 by the time he paddled the ball into his stumps off the bowling of Blackwell.
Moeen Ali made a confident start, sweeping Blackwell for four to get off the mark.
Phil Mustard was shuffling his pack in search of a wicket, and he introduced Dale Benkenstein's occasional medium pace in the 54th over. The South African struck in his first over, strangled down the legside by a bit of extra bounce, which perhaps struck the left-hander's gloves, earning Durham a first bowling point.
Solanki was dropped on 82, Michael Di Venuto diving across Paul Collingwood when Mitchell Claydon found the edge.
Worcestershire claimed their first batting point in the 66th over, Solanki running a quick single. Their second came four balls before tea when they reached 250.
Finally, Scott Borthwick was brought on for the 68th over. The leg-spinner had no early success, Solanki hitting him for six over extra cover in an eventful over.
The England one-day international came down the pitch to the next ball took a big heave at it. He was undone by Borthwick's googly, missing it completely, but unfortunately for Durham, so did Mustard. The ball went for four byes.
Solanki nudged the next ball into the legside to bring up his hundred. It took 186 deliveries, hitting 16 fours and a six.
He and Alexei Kervezee - who was 43 not out at the interval - were both batting impressively, while Durham looked dispirited as their title chances continue to fade.
Warwickshire and Lancashire are both in good positions to secure the wins which will deny Durham a third County Championship in four years.
See Wednesday's Journal for a full report of the second day's play from Chester-le-Street.
