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Worcestershire’s relegation was confirmed on day three of their County Championship clash with Durham despite centuries from Gareth Roderick and Ethan Brookes.<\/b><\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
However, Brookes continued the onslaught and notched up three figures as the Pears finished on 591-9 at the close.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Conners almost got the breakthrough as Gibbon edged one on 28, but Emilio Gay could not hold on to the catch at second slip.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
After the resumption, Roderick slammed a Matthew Potts delivery through the covers for four, while Brookes produced a carbon copy in the same over.<\/p>\n
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. <\/p>\n
Milestones then followed for the visitors as Brookes passed fifty from 86 balls, while Roderick picked up his 150 from 276 balls.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Tom Taylor got another life as he miscued one when he was on 15, but Gay failed to cling on to it.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Final pair Ben Allison and Taylor took Worcestershire to close and will resume unbeaten on 10 and 66 respectively in the morning.<\/p>\n
Report supplied by ECB Reporters’ Network, supported by Rothesay<\/i><\/p>\n<\/div>\n