| LV= County Championship Division Two, New Highway, Worcester (day three) |
| Worcestershire 313: D’Oliveira 63, Libby 57, Roderick 52; Raine 3-66, De Leede 3-68 |
| Durham 10-0 (4 overs): Jones 7*, Lees 3* |
| Worcestershire 2 pts, Durham 3 pts |
| Match scorecard |
Already-promoted Durham wrapped up the County Championship Division Two title as they bowled out Worcestershire for 313 at New Highway.
They earned three bowling factors when, within the third over with the brand new ball, Ben Raine took their ninth wicket.
Then, simply 4 balls later, Raine took the ultimate wicket to make sure second-placed Worcestershire ended with solely two out of a potential 5 batting factors.
That confirmed Durham as champions, seven years to the day since they beat Hampshire to avoid wasting themselves from relegation, solely to then be relegated 12 days later by the England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) over monetary points.
After Worcestershire resumed on 104-1, they rapidly misplaced Jake Libby, caught behind for 57, earlier than a 57-run stand between Azhar Ali and the departing Jack Haynes, enjoying his closing house sport.
However Paul Coughlin bowled Haynes for 35 to earn Durham their third wicket – and first bonus level.
Inside 9 balls, Coughlin then ended Hose’s season early when he caught him with a lifter which fractured his wrist earlier than additionally eradicating Azhar Ali for 25.
At 179-4, a rain break induced a three-hour delay. However, though house skipper Brett D’Oliveira and Kashif Ali added 69 following the restart, that stand was ended by Bas de Leede.
And, from 248-4, the promotion-seeking Pears managed simply two extra batting factors of their bid to maneuver away from third-placed Leicestershire.
With simply at some point on this badly rain-affected contest, the Pears will hope to bowl out Durham and declare the three bowling factors that may edge them additional away from Leicestershire.
However the Foxes, who started this week 21 factors behind the Pears, and should decide up two bonus factors much less, do nonetheless stand an opportunity of contriving a outcome in opposition to Yorkshire.
‘Durham folks nonetheless maintain grudge about ECB relegation’
“It is a particular feeling,” Durham skipper Scott Borthwick informed BBC Radio Newcastle. “Quite a lot of Durham folks nonetheless maintain a grudge concerning the ECB relegating us in 2016.
“We completed fourth after which acquired thrown into Division Two, however we’re now again in Division One, the place we ought to be. Again the place we belong.
“I suppose it hasn’t fairly sunk in but what we now have achieved. It was doubtlessly going to occur this sport, however subsequent week after we decide up the trophy it’s going to actually sink in.
“The lads are completely buzzing. I felt we had the expertise and the ability to do it this 12 months. The way in which we now have performed this 12 months, we now have dominated and we should go up with the trophy. I’m completely thrilled.
“We love our sport within the north and the members have been good this season. There might be numerous folks within the floor subsequent week and I am actually happy for them.
“We thought the climate may spoil issues. There was a giant downpour at lunch and the outfield was soaking. However we managed to get again on and we bowled nicely. It was a particular second for Ben Raine to take the ultimate wicket.”
Worcestershire captain Brett D’Oliveira added: “Durham are the most effective crew on this division and congratulations to them.
“Particularly in four-day cricket, you get completely what you deserve. It’s a must to play actually good cricket.”
