WORCESTERSHIRE'S hopes of enforcing the follow-on against Durham at Chester-le-Street receded after they reduced their hosts from 83 without loss to 88 for three.

 

At tea Durham were 182 for five in reply to 350 for seven declared with Scott Borthwick unbeaten on 51.

 

Mark Stoneman made a 53-ball half-century before he and Jack Burnham fell in successive overs. Burnham had made 21 when he edged Ed Barnard to Tom Kohler-Cadmore at first slip and without addition Stoneman was bowled driving at a Jack Shantry in-swinger.

 

Barnard posed problems after his first over cost seven, plus four leg byes. He also induced an edge from Paul Collingwood, who gave Daryl Mitchell the first of his two catches at second slip.

 

The second sent back Michael Richardson for 13 to give Joe Leach a wicket, but there was no joy for Shannon Gabriel, whose seven overs cost 35 runs.

 

Borthwick and Gordon Muchall ran busily in putting on 60 in 12 overs before Muchall was lbw, propping forward to a straight one from leg-spinner Brett D'Oliveira.