Durham reeling as wickets fall; Wilting hosts are under fire.

DURHAM'S batsmen were given a torrid time by Worcestershire on day two of their County Championship clash, with three wickets falling for as many runs.

Having slumped to 1-3 last night, Durham had recovered to reach 40-3, with Kyle Coetzer and Dale Benkenstein managing to avert a complete catastrophe before the close.

But neither was able to build on that good work as Kabir Ali picked up another two wickets and Durham lost their three remaining specialist batsmen in as many overs.

Dale Benkenstein was the first to go, caught behind by Josh Knappett as Ali managed to find some potent late swing in the humid conditions at Chester-le-Street.

That brought the in-form Ian Blackwell to the middle, but the former Somerset man was unable to save Durham this time, bowled by Matt Mason as he tried to turn a straight delivery to the leg-side.

Things got even worse for the league leaders moments later when Coetzer, who had been feeling his way into the game all morning, tried to relieve the pressure with a cover drive, found fresh air and walked as his off-stump came crashing back down to the turf following another swinging Ali delivery.

At 59-6, Durham needed someone to perform emergency surgery and, having grabbed attention with the ball with career-besfigures of 6-63 yesterday, Liam Plunkett rode out the storm with wicketkeeper Phil Mustard.

Plunkett''s batting has been a useful weapon at the top of the tail this season and he had the confidence to out-score the naturally attacking Mustard.

Their partnership was an important one and carried Durham beyond the 100 mark as they closed the gap on Worcestershire's modest first-innings total of 193.

Plunkett, though, could not make it through to lunch, edging Mason to Gareth Batty at second slip for 29 with Durham still 78 runs behind.

The Teessider, who has rediscovered his zip with the ball this season, said after yesterday's heroics: "It's been frustrating not playing so it's just nice to be out there again."

SCOREBOARD: Worcestershire 193 (AA Noffke 50, LE Plunkett 6-63). Durham 128-7 (K Ali 4-38).

DURHAM duo Graham Onions and Steve Harmison picked up a wicket each in England Lions' clash against Australia at New Road, Wo r c e s t e r. Onions removed Aussie skipper Ricky Ponting for one, while Harmison - who conceded just six runs in his first six overs - claimed the wicket of opener Phillip Hughes, who was out for seven.

Australia, 24-2 at one stage, were then grateful to another pair with Durham connections. Former Riverside duo Simon Katich (47) and Mike Hussey (37) steadied the ship before lunch to take the score on to 94-2 after 28 overs.

CAPTION(S):

HE'S BACK: Liam Plunkett celebrates after bowling out Gareth Batty yesterday

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