Worcestershire rewarded for positive intent

Half-centuries by Tom Fell and Ben Cox enabled Worcestershire to frustrate an attacking ploy by Durham on the opening day of the LV= County Championship clash at New Road.

Although Chris Rushworth joined Middlesex's James Harris as the leading wicket-taker in Division One, Durham never had it their own way after Paul Collingwood put his faith in a five-man seam attack following a 45-minute delay.

Rushworth immediately justified his captain's call by bowling Daryl Mitchell with the second ball of the match but Worcestershire refused to buckle and batted all the way down the order for a competitive total of 323. In seven overs to the close Durham made 14 without loss.

With every setback, Worcestershire had a positive response, moving from the morning gloom to afternoon sunshine under the guidance of the impressive Fell, with 12 fours and a six in his 78 from 157 balls.

When Durham may have felt their job was almost done, they were knocked back by another of Worcestershire's talented prospects. Cox counter-attacked with 67 from 73 balls, the fifth successive first-class score of 40 or more by a wicketkeeper of some talent with the bat.

In terms of centuries, Fell was the most successful batsman in Oakham School's history and on making the step-up from Oxford MCCU to the county team in 2013, he quickly developed to the point where he could be eased into Moeen Ali's position at No. 3.

As he did on the opening day of the season, when scoring a century against Yorkshire, he handled one of the stronger seam attacks with considerable skill and maturity.

Fell and Richard Oliver took seven boundaries in Rushworth's six-over opening spell and the initial recovery partnership was worth 64 when Oliver was bowled for 36, shaping to play Graham Onions through midwicket.

Alex Gidman probably had similar thoughts when leg-before to Rushworth after lunch but again Worcestershire had the answer as Alexei Kervezee put on 72 with Fell until they were dismissed in successive deliveries.

Kervezee chased a ball from Paul Coughlin, edging to Michael Richardson, who replaced Phil Mustard behind the wicket, and Fell was caught at second slip to give Rushworth his 32nd championship wicket of the season.

Yet these days Worcestershire bat a long way down the order. Ross Whiteley made 15 on his return to the championship team and was then leg-before to Coughlin while Joe Leach reached 24 with a six to mid-wicket before he was taken at gully from the next ball from Onions.

Worse was to come for Durham when Sachithra Senanayake helped Cox put on 50 in eight overs. The Sri Lankan spin bowler emulated Leach when caught behind off Collingwood for 16 after hitting a six which cleared the Ladies Pavilion.

Coughlin wrapped up the innings for figures of 4 for 70. Jack Shantry was caught at mid-off after making 23 out of 45 with Cox, who was last out, well caught by Richardson.