COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISION ONE, New Road:
CLOSE OF PLAY, DAY THREE: Worcestershire 356 and 41-1, Durham 634-8dec (Durham 7pts, Worcs 5pts)
23-26 September

A watchful Chanderpaul hit just nine fours in a slow day at New Road

County champions Durham all but ensured they will keep their unbeaten record in 2009 after Shivnarine Chanderpaul hit his first double century for them.

In the end, Chanderpaul took 382 balls and more than eight hours to grind out 201, the seventh double of his career.

That helped Durham drearily reinforce their command, going beyond 600 for only the fourth time since becoming the 18th first-class county in 1992.

Will Smith declared at 634-8 before Worcestershire responded on 41-1.

And, after losing Stephen Moore before the close, if the bottom club are to avoid an 11th Championship defeat of 2009, it may now need his opening partner Daryl Mitchell to show the sort of application he produced at Taunton last week when he hit a double hundred of his own.

Already relegated Worcestershire began their second innings needing 278 to avoid closing their dismal season with a third innings defeat.

Given 12 overs to bat before the close, they trimmed back the deficit to 237 but lost Moore leg before to Ian Blackwell.

Earlier, Chanderpaul extended the meaning of patience as Durham set about building a match-winning position, hitting just nine fours all day.

Initially, there was some justification for his watchful approach as Worcestershire's inexperienced attack benefited from more helpful conditions on a cloudy morning.

But, after dismissing Dale Benkenstein for 109, having added the nine runs he needed to post his fifth Championship century of the season, they were unable to ruffle, let alone break, Chanderpaul's concentration.

BBC Hereford and Worcester's Dave Bradley gives his day's summary:

"Another hard day at the office for the Worcestershire youngsters, four of them conceding over 100.

"They did bowl better in the morning session, a much better line and length, although the pedestrian Chanderpaul, who was loath to chase anything remotely wide of the stumps, have helped the slow run rate.

"The West Indian was a model of concentration but hardly entertained the sparse New Road crowd until, somewhat out of character he drove the ball for a lofted boundary to reach his double century, with what proved his final shot before Durham declared.

"It was at this point that Will Smith ended the torment for the home side's medium pacers.

"Stephen Moore summed up his season by going before the close.

"Whether this is his last four-day game in Worcestershire colours remains to be seen.

"He says he will make a decision when the cricket is over for the summer."

BBC Newcastle's Martin Emmerson offers his daily Durham verdict:

"Durham have done their best to bat Worcestershire out of this one.

"And, while progress may have been slow on day three, the champions probably won't have to bat again this season.

"We're told Shiv Chanderpaul likes to bat. And, on this evidence you can't disagree with that, although 'patient' is not a word that most of those who saw it would use to describe his very lengthy knock of 201 not out.

"It took him the best part of a day's play to go from 100 to 201 before Durham declared. But his average for the season is now an incredible 236."

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