Stunning Dickson century keeps Durham on top

A stunning century from Sean Dickson helped keep Durham in the ascendancy against Worcestershire on Day Three of their County Championship Division Two game at New Road.

Worcestershire closed on 85 -2, needing a further 357 runs to win on a pitch which, though still playing well, is starting to show signs of variable bounce.

Starting the day 411 runs behind Durham's mammoth first innings total on 169-6, Worcestershire were eventually bowled out in mid-afternoon for 309, thanks largely to former captain Joe Leach's 62 and spirited lower-order resistance from 18-year-old Josh Baker (27).

Matty Potts added the scalp of Ben Cox to his five second-day wickets to finish with figures of 6-62, whilst Chris Rushworth chipped in with 3-76.

Though some may have been surprised to see Durham bat again, it soon became clear that they didn't intend to hang around after starting their second innings 271 runs ahead.

After England captain Ben Stokes' record-breaking 161 yesterday, it was teammate Dickson who took centre stage on day three with a swashbuckling 105 off 73 balls, including eight sixes.

Dickson's dismissal was immediately followed by the declaration from captain Scott Borthwick, with Durham setting their hosts 442 to win after racking up 170-1 in just 21.3 overs. England opener Alex Lees played an effective supporting role, finishing unbeaten on 60.

Chris Rushworth then claimed the wickets of openers Ed Pollock (10) and Jake Libby (17) to leave Worcestershire teetering on 35-2 before Azhar Ali (23 not out) and Jack Haynes (26 not out) launched a counter attack which kept home hopes alive.

Durham will be heavy favourites as they seek eight more wickets on a final-day pitch.

However, the visitors' explosive second innings, and Worcestershire's own positive start, was a reminder that New Road can be a fast-scoring ground, leaving all three results still possible heading into day four.