[Ska'dForLife-WBA]

Day Three

Morning: Resuming on 159-6 on a sun-kissed Saturday morning, Ben Cox was caught behind for 21 off Matthew Potts within the first half-hour, and it felt as though the script was being followed to the letter. But no one had told Joe Leach, who produced an array of commanding shots on his way to a valuable half-century in the circumstances. Ben Stokes, being an all-round class act, reportedly texted young Josh Baker on Friday night to check that the lad wasn't feeling too down about going for 34 in an over, and that maybe gave him the impetus to stick at the crease for long enough to make a commendable 27 before he was caught at first slip for 27 off Matt Salisbury. The Pears went in for lunch 280-8, knowing that every hard-fought minute out in the field mattered.

Afternoon: Sadly, Leach departed almost immediately after the resumption, caught at second slip off Chris Rushworth for 62, but the final pair of Adam Finch and Ben Gibbon, for all their youth, made an admirably stubborn last stand that lasted a full hour and secured an unlikely third batting point for the Pears. When Gibbon was finally bowled by Rushworth for 9, Worcestershire were 309 all out and trailing by 271; yet the extra time in the field persuaded the northerners that enforcing the follow-on might well backfire on their tired bowlers. It was nevertheless a hard task for the remainder of the session as the Durham openers made hay while the sun shone, and went in for tea 102-0 with a lead of 373.

Evening: Having smashed another effortless century, Sean Dickson finally went for one too many big shots and sent one high into the air that landed safely in the keeper's gloves for 105. Durham immediately declared for the second time in as many days, setting the Pears a target of 442 to win. A positive start ensued, but once again the visitors proved able to make the new ball talk in a way that the Worcs bowlers hadn't managed, and Ed Pollock was bowled for 10 by Rushworth within five overs. Likewise, Jake Libby copped a real snorter that kept low and struck his pad plumb in front, dismissing him LBW for 17 and leaving the Pears swaying on 35-2. But despite their travails in recent weeks, Jack Haynes and Azhar Ali succeeded in weathering the storm for the remaining overs of the day, reaching their fifty partnership despite some early edges and a barrage of hostile short balls from Ben Stokes. In the copper light of a fine May evening, the stumps were drawn on 85-2 with Worcestershire requiring a further 357 to win. Having his best score of the season so far on the board overnight, Azhar in particular needs to seize this opportunity with both hands to prove he's not just the latest in a long line of overseas flops at New Road.

Dig in, survive, make it first to lunch and then to tea, and something might yet be salvaged from the ruinous first two days of this match.