Worcs survive marathon Stokes spell to defy Durham

Durham finished their first innings on 465 after adding 28 morning runs, with Ollie Robinson falling last for 97 to Tom Taylor, who secured figures of 3-66 alongside Matthew Waite's 3-64. In response, Worcestershire reached 60 without loss by lunch courtesy of Daniel Lategan and Jake Libby.

The hosts struck back early in the afternoon as Ben Stokes dismissed Lategan for 28 via Kasey Aldridge's slip catch and Rehaan Edavalath for one, while Matthew Potts trapped Libby lbw for 55. This burst reduced Worcestershire to 90-3, though Adam Hose survived a dropped chance at slip by Ben McKinney off Stokes before getting off the mark.

Hose capitalized on the reprieve, compiling an unbeaten 87 and combining with captain Brett D'Oliveira for a fourth-wicket partnership worth 179 runs. D'Oliveira contributed 82 before Potts shattered his stumps with the new ball, leaving the visitors at 270-5 by stumps, still trailing Durham by 195 runs.

Stokes concluded a grueling 20-over effort across two lengthy spells with figures of 2-56, while Potts finished the day with 2-50.