COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP, DIVISION ONE, Riverside:
CLOSE OF PLAY, DAY TWO: Worcestershire 193 and 0-0, Durham 194 (Durham 3pts, Worcs 3pts)
30 June-3 July 2009 (1100-1800 BST)

Kabir has played in one Test and 14 one-day internationals for England

Kabir Ali took six wickets to restore parity between Worcestershire and Durham on day two at the Riverside.

Kabir (6-68) was well supported by Matt Mason (3-55) as Durham were bowled out for 194, a lead of just one run.

Resuming the day on 40-3, Durham were reduced to 59-6 before Phil Mustard (63 not out) and Liam Plunkett (29) shared 94 for the seventh wicket.

Bad light then restricted the visitors' second innings to just one delivery as they closed the day on 0-0.

The light forced the players from the field at 1500 BST and they were kept in the pavilion when lightning in the area raised concerns for their safety.

Rain then arrived at around 1700 BST, ending the day's prospects of play.

Kyle Coetzer (30) and Dale Benkenstein (25) moved their partnership to 55 in the morning session before Benkenstein was caught behind by Josh Knappett off the bowling of Kabir.

Mason then bowled Ian Blackwell for one and Kabir disturbed Coetzer's stumps as Durham lost three wickets for three runs.

But Mustard, who also shared stands of 35 with Callum Thorp (17) and 31 with Mitch Claydon, struck 10 fours in his 102-ball effort to give the county champions a slender lead.

Worcestershire fast bowler Kabir Ali told BBC Hereford and Worcester:

"I've been out for almost two months and I struggled in the first two Championship games at Worcester.

"I thought I did all right in the Twenty20 but unfortunately the Twenty20 is the kind of game where it takes its toll as you can be bowling well one day and the next day guys are swinging and sending you to all parts of the ground.

"But I turned up here, ran in and hit the wicket hard and luckily for me I put the ball in the right areas and have taken a few wickets."

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