County Championship: Worcestershire relegated despite big total against Durham

Worcestershire’s relegation was confirmed on day three of their County Championship clash with Durham despite centuries from Gareth Roderick and Ethan Brookes.

The visitors, whose fate was sealed after failing to pick up a third batting point, continued to frustrate a Durham side desperately seeking points to avoid the same fate.

Roderick picked up his 12th first-class century on a docile pitch after the morning session was washed out, and despite a first Durham wicket for Afghan leg spinner Shafiquallah Ghafari, they continued to pile on the runs throughout the day.

Brookes joined Roderick in the middle and he picked up his fifty, while Roderick passed 150, but a double-wicket burst from Sam Conners halted the Pears’ momentum.

However, Brookes continued the onslaught and notched up three figures as the Pears finished on 591-9 at the close.

Rain meant that play did not start until 13:20 BST with 70 overs in the day, and Roderick, unbeaten on 95, and nightwatcher Ben Gibbon resumed Worcestershire’s innings.

Gibbon continued his good work from day two as he frustrated the Durham bowlers, and Roderick finally got his first century of the season, coming off 180 deliveries.

Conners almost got the breakthrough as Gibbon edged one on 28, but Emilio Gay could not hold on to the catch at second slip.

Ghafari got his first-ever Durham wicket as he got Gibbon lbw for 33, but it was too late for a second bowling point for the hosts.

Roderick and Brookes then guided their side to 400, however, Raine nearly had Brookes caught behind, but Ollie Robinson could not take a diving catch.

The solid Roderick continued to frustrate the home side as he played a lovely dab off Will Rhodes to third region for four just before tea.

After the resumption, Roderick slammed a Matthew Potts delivery through the covers for four, while Brookes produced a carbon copy in the same over.

The Pears keeper continued his vigil in the middle by punishing a Rhodes delivery, but he offered a rare opportunity as Rhodes could not hold on to a caught and bowled opportunity.

Milestones then followed for the visitors as Brookes passed fifty from 86 balls, while Roderick picked up his 150 from 276 balls.

Brookes was dropped a second time, as he edged a Ghafari ball on 57, and Brookes made him pay as he picked up the first six of the game with a hit down the ground.

Roderick finally fell for 151, as Conners got him lbw, and he followed that up with the wicket of Matthew Waite for a three-ball duck.

Brookes continued to pick up runs as he played a wonderful sweep shot for four off the bowling of Ghafari and took his side to 500 later in the over.

Tom Taylor got another life as he miscued one when he was on 15, but Gay failed to cling on to it.

Brookes then picked up his second ton of the campaign from 130 balls, and Taylor smashed one down the ground for four one ball later.

Brookes departed for 100 as he was bowled by Potts after going for a big shot, but he completely missed it, however, Taylor got to fifty from 54 balls.

Final pair Ben Allison and Taylor took Worcestershire to close and will resume unbeaten on 10 and 66 respectively in the morning.

Report supplied by ECB Reporters’ Network, supported by Rothesay