WORCESTERSHIRE CCC collapsed to a nine-wicket defeat against Durham as the Pears capitulated on day three of the County Championship clash.
The Pears collapsed from 53 without loss to 102 all out in their second innings as visitors Durham lost just one wicket in pursuit of 143 for victory at New Road.
The defeat leaves the Pears sixth in the County Championship Division Two table.
Worcestershire posted 308 all out in their first innings as Jack Home (63 not out) and Adam Hose (59) registered half-centuries.
The Pears recovered from 52-4 as Hose and captain Brett D’Oliveira (41) combined for a 97-run fifth-wicket stand.
And Home produced an impressive knock at the tail end of the innings to push the Pears beyond the 300-run mark as he finished unbeaten.
Ben Raine (5-63) starred with the ball for Durham while England test captain Ben Stokes (2-54) picked up a couple of wickets.
And the Pears bowled well to restrict Durham to 268 all out as Matthew Waite (3-43) and Tom Taylor (3-64) did the damage with the ball.
Half-centuries from David Bedingham (83) and Graham Clark (78) boosted the away side’s total.
And Home (1-67) also accounted for Stokes (14) as Durham lost their final six wickets for the addition of just 68 runs.
The Pears took a 40-run lead into their second innings but only Jake Libby (28), Dan Lategan (20) and Gareth Roderick (15) managed double figures.
A dramatic collapse saw Worcestershire lose nine wickets for the addition of just 49 runs as Callum Parkinson (5-13) ripped through the home side’s batters.
Stokes (2-33) also took the final wicket with the Pears all out for just 102 which left Durham in need of 143 runs for victory.
The Pears made the perfect start to the final innings as Taylor (1-26) removed Alex Lees (4) in the first over.
However, Ben McKinney (87 not out) and Emilio Gay (51 not out) both recorded half-centuries to seal a nine-wicket win for the visitors before the end of day three.
