Durham suffer late collapse

David Hussey goes down the ground during 126 of Nottinghamshire's 369 for nine against Lancashire at Trent Bridge

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LV= County Champions and Division One leaders Durham relinquished control of their match against bottom side Worcestershire following a nightmare start to their first innings.

Durham slipped to one for three on the first day at Chester-le-Street after bowling out the visitors for just 193.

Michael Di Venuto, Will Smith and Gordon Muchall all made ducks, with two wickets for Kabir Ali, before the hosts recovered to end the day on 40 for three.

Earlier Liam Plunkett ripped through Worcestershire, taking 6-63. Only Ashley Noffke offered any real resistance with 50.

Second-placed Nottinghamshire battled back gallantly at Trent Bridge against Lancashire as Australia limited overs batsman David Hussey (126) and Ali Brown (54) helped them recover from 116 for four to 369 for nine at the close.

It might have been even better for the hosts, whom Hussey and Brown had guided to 286 for four at tea, but Karl Brown dismissed them both.

Mark Wagh made a brisk 40 this morning before being third man out, while Oliver Newby, Steven Croft and Glen Chapple all claimed two victims.

On the day when former team-mate and England captain Michael Vaughan confirmed his retirement, Jacques Rudolph raised Yorkshire spirits with 191 in a total of 375 for seven against Somerset at Taunton.

In Division Two, top dogs Gloucestershire dismissed Kent for 231 at Beckenham, where wicketkeeper Geraint Jones hit 46 and Martin van Jaarsveld 53 before they both fell to Steve Kirby.

Gloucestershire were 69 for two at the close, Hamish Marshall and William Porterfield the men to go.

Rock-bottom Leicestershire enjoyed a decent day at Derbyshire where Jim Allenby (96) and James Taylor (86 not out) helped them to 341 for five. Seamer Ian Hunter took 3-64 for the hosts.

Owais Shah made 159 for Middlesex as they took charge of their derby with Surrey at Lord’s to close the day on 269 for five.