Unbeaten challenge for Durham

Steven Davies' final championship appearance for Worcestershire is an imposing clash with the champions

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Durham can become the first team since Warwickshire’s 2004 side to win the LV= County Championship without losing a match, if they avoid defeat to relegated Worcestershire at New Road.

The two-time champions have named an unchanged squad from their last outing against Hampshire, which ended in a draw.

Leg-spinner Scott Borthwick faces competition for his place from Luke Evans and Mitchell Claydon, both of whom are named in a 13-man squad. Callum Thorp is omitted.

If Durham win, it will be their ninth victory of an outstanding season.

Steven Davies marks his final championship appearance for Worcestershire before joining Surrey for next season.

Davies, who missed the county’s high-scoring draw with Somerset, takes the gloves back from Ben Cox, the 17-year-old who made 61 with the bat in his absence.

Seamer Chris Whelan returns to the Worcestershire XI in place of veteran seamer Matt Mason.

Worcestershire are yet to win a match in the championship on their immediate return to Division Two, despite taking a first-innings lead of 271 versus Somerset.

They need to take four points from this match to ensure they surpass the 88.5 points scored by Glamorgan in 2005, the lowest tally since the two-tier system was introduced.