County Championship: Durham on verge of win at New Road
- From the section Counties
| LV= County Championship Division One, New Road (day three) |
| Worcestershire 323 & 192: Leach 76, Hastings 7-60 |
| Durham: 198 & 270-3: Collingwood 111 not out |
| Durham require 48 runs to win |
| Worcestershire 6 pts, Durham 3 pts |
| Match scorecard |
Paul Collingwood struck an unbeaten 111 on his 39th birthday to put Durham on the verge of victory at Worcestershire.
Beginning on 65-6, the hosts reached 192 thanks to 76 off 53 balls from Joe Leach, John Hastings taking 7-60.
Set 318 to win, Durham slipped to 66-2 before Collingwood put on a partnership of 108 runs with Keaton Jennings (61).
Collingwood and Michael Richardson (41 not out) then moved the visitors onto 270-3 at New Road, and within 48 runs of victory.
| Collingwood's form against Worcestershire |
|---|
| Before this match, Paul Collingwood averaged 48.4 against Worcestershire, with seven scores above 50 in 19 innings. |
Worcestershire began the day with a lead of 190, but knew they needed runs to set up a difficult chase for the visitors.
Ben Cox and Leach came out with an aggressive intent and added 75 runs for the seventh wicket before Hastings had Cox caught behind for a brisk 32.
Hastings then claimed the remaining three wickets to ensure Durham would face a challenging, but reachable, victory target.
Chasing their fourth Championship win of the season, the visitors began brightly before Mark Stoneman (37) was caught behind off Leach and first-innings centurion Scott Borthwick fell lbw to Jack Shantry for just four.
Borthwick's wicket brought Collingwood to the crease and the ex-England man scored at a swift pace, with his 16 fours and a six taking his side ever closer to a win.
Jennings edged Charlie Morris behind but Richardson batted with assurance alongside Collingwood to leave victory within sight at the close.
Worcestershire director of cricket Steve Rhodes:
"We need it to be overcast tomorrow morning and somehow get seven wickets. It's been a tough day, the lads have worked really hard.
"In the morning it was overcast and Joe Leach decided to take it to the opposition. He did a great job and got us a score that takes some getting at Worcester but the sun has shone ever since they have been out there.
"People may think that's sour grapes. It's not - that wicket is totally different when the sun is on it. Today it has hardly moved off the straight."
Durham captain Paul Collingwood:
"It's been an amazing day to get a hundred on my birthday and get us into a winning position.
"The response from the first innings has been magnificent. We have shown our character.
"I was impressed by Joe Leach, he bowled well and he's obviously a competitor."
