Clarke keeps Durham at bay
Joe Clarke provided glimpses of his potential to steady promotion-chasing Worcestershire’s first innings on a truncated opening day of the Specsavers County Championship clash with Durham at New Road.
The England Lions batsman came to the wicket with Worcestershire perched uneasily on 13-2 after choosing to bat.
It was not the start the home side were looking for in pursuit of the six points needed to guarantee a return to Division One next summer when play got under way at 2pm.
Clarke will be hoping for positive news in the week when the Lions squad for the winter training camp in Australia during November-December is announced.
Worcestershire skipper Joe Leach opted to bat first on a new wicket already showing signs of taking spin via Durham debutant, slow leftarmer Liam Trevaskis.
Brett D’Oliveira had a letoff before he had scored with Ryan Pringle at third slip spilling a low chance off Onions.
Daryl Mitchell had made five when he edged Rushworth to Keaton Jennings at second slip.
Tom Fell was bowled by an inswinging delivery from Graham Onions to leave Worcestershire struggling in the 10th over.
Clarke and D’Oliveira then gradually started to flourish and the 50 stand came up in 11 overs.
After battling his way to 22, D’Oliveira pushed forward to Jennings and was caught by Paul Collingwood at second slip.