Durham denied by stubborn Rhodes and Liptrot

Stubborn batting by Steve Rhodes and Chris Liptrot denied Durham a championship double at Chester-le-Street.

Worcestershire's heroes came together on 63 for seven but were scarcely troubled as the accuracy of Durham's young seamers deserted them and the eighth wicket pair survived for 28 overs.

For most of his innings left-hander Liptrot faced the left-arm spin of Graeme Bridge, who had to bowl into the stiff wind.

Liptrot took his only single when Steve Harmison briefly replaced Bridge, while Rhodes batted for 34 overs for 21 to take the total to 85 for seven at the close.

Worcestershire's top order crumbled after being set a victory target of 251 in 54 overs. Steep bounce from Harmison and Nicky Hatch accounted for both openers, then Graeme Hick followed his 200 not out yesterday by cutting and pulling successive balls from Harmison for four. But in going for another cut in the same over he found himself cramped for room and edged to wicketkeeper Andrew Pratt.

David Leatherdale also went for a cut and edged to Pratt off Ian Hunter then Danny Law then gained lbw verdicts in successive overs. That made it 45 for six at tea, but despite the phalanx of slips Rhodes was able to leave a lot of short, wayward bowling, particularly from Harmison.

Durham, resuming on 99 for two in the morning, added 96 in 32 overs to reach lunch on 195 for four with Paul Collingwood making an excellent 68 and Martin Love 62. It was Love's 14th championship half-century, but he completed Durham's campaign with only one hundred.

When Durham went for the slog after lunch Matt Rawnsley picked up two of the three wickets to fall as 42 were added in eight overs before the declaration came on 237 for seven.