Worcestershire Secures Victory Over Durham in Vitality County Championship Division One

In the Vitality County Championship Division One match at Seat Unique Riverside, Worcestershire claimed their first win of the season, defeating Durham by six wickets on day three.

Durham scored 190 in their first innings, with Ben Stokes contributing 56 runs, while Worcestershire's Smith took 4-36. In their second innings, Durham managed 152, with Ackermann top-scoring with 40 and Smith and Taylor each taking four wickets.

Worcestershire, having scored 112 in their first innings with Kashif Ali making 55 and Potts taking 4-29, chased down the target with a score of 231-4 in their second innings. Kashif Ali remained unbeaten on 76, and Adam Hose added 50 runs.

Worcestershire, earning 19 points from this match, overcame Durham, who gained 3 points. Ali and Hose's crucial partnership of 129 runs came at a pivotal moment when the visitors were at 65-3, changing the course of the game.

Durham, who had been in a strong position before lunch on day three, collapsed in their second innings to 152, with Ben Allison dismissing Bas de Leede, leaving Worcestershire needing 231 runs to win.

Gareth Roderick and Jake Libby opened for Worcestershire, aiming to set a solid foundation. Although Roderick struggled initially against Ben Raine, he managed to find form against Matthew Potts and Ben Stokes. Libby narrowly escaped an lbw appeal from Peter Siddle, while Roderick almost played a Stokes delivery onto his stumps.

Durham struck back when Stokes had Roderick caught behind for 38, and Libby followed for 19, falling to Siddle. Stokes then delivered a superb ball to bowl Rob Jones for one, reducing Worcestershire to 65-3.

Ali, who top-scored in the first innings, and Hose then stabilised the innings, taking Worcestershire to lunch without further loss. The pair reached their 50 partnership with 12 runs off a de Leede over, and Ali survived an lbw appeal on 33 due to an inside edge. An erratic over from Stokes added 15 runs to Durham's troubles.

Ali reached his half-century off 77 balls, with Hose following suit off 86 balls. Raine eventually broke the partnership by dismissing Hose, but Ali's unbeaten knock, supported by Ethan Brookes in an unbroken stand of 37, ensured Worcestershire's victory.