County Championship: Jake Libby hits century but Durham enjoy three-day win over Pears

Worcestershire opener Jake Libby's third century of the summer takes him to 771 runs for the season - within 16 of the country's top scorer, Durham's David Bedingham

Durham claimed their third County Championship win in five games as they climbed to second place in Group One.

After eventually bowling out the Pears for 336, they were set 87 to win - and openers Cameron Bancroft and Michael Jones saw them to a 10-wicket win.

Durham's second win over Worcestershire in a month was delayed by an excellent 126 from Jake Libby, backed by Brett D'Oliveira (46) and Ed Barnard (34*).

But Durham had 21 overs left in the day to get the runs they needed on 89-0.

They could also have claimed an extra half hour to avoid the game going into a fourth day but, in the end, it was not needed.

Australian Test batsman Bancroft (46*) and Jones (34*) reached their target off the second ball of the 21st over.

Earlier, Worcestershire had done well to ensure that Durham batted again, having been 250 in arrears on first innings, before closing on Friday on 99-3.

But in-form Libby hit his third century of the summer, enjoying good support from D'Oliveira in a sixth-wicket stand of 106.

He was dropped by Durham wicketkeeper Ned Eckersley on 76, a routine chance, two-handed to his right, then caught off a no-ball on 95.

Eckersley eventually snared him with a stumping after he had charged down the wicket to leg-spinner Scott Borthwick.

But not before he had taken his run tally for the season to 771 - the second best in the country and the best by an Englishman, within 16 of Durham's South African run machine David Bedingham.

What next?

Durham will be overtaken in second on Sunday however the result of the Essex-Notts game works out.

But they are only nine points off leaders Warwickshire and still in with a chance of topping the group when the competition resumes after the month-long T20 Blast break.

Durham have two games left - away to Warwickshire at Edgbaston, starting on 4 July, followed by a home game with Notts.

The Pears' final group game is at home to Warwickshire, starting on 11 July.

Worcestershire head coach Alex Gidman:

"That first day was a bit of a shock, a bit of a blur. We obviously didn't apply ourselves as much as we needed to. It was always going to be tough to have a chance of winning once you have a first hour like we did.

"Durham bowled aggressively and put the ball in the right areas from ball one. They put us under pressure and we didn't quite have it in us to cope.

"Sadly it was too late in this fixture but I'm really pleased with the way the guys tried to fight to stay in the game. We batted really well on the last day. Jake Libby was superb and had a great partnership with Brett D'Oliveira."

Durham batsman Michael Jones:

"The talk before we got here was about how flat the pitch is in Worcester but when we had a look there was a bit more grass on there than we expected, so we decided to have a bowl and it paid off.

"I was gutted not to get a century in the first innings but I was able to come out there in the second and get a few more.

"I don't think when we walked out we envisaged knocking the runs off but it went well. Cameron Bancroft batted nicely and then we realised we could do it."

Analysis

Martin Emmerson (BBC Radio Newcastle)

"Durham controlled this from the off. They won the toss on day one, then bowled well to dismiss Worcestershire for 131, their second lowest score against Durham.

"They backed that up well with the bat, thanks to another century from David Bedingham and 78 from Michael Jones. Although Worcestershire were able to battle through most of day three, Durham kept at their task and bowled them out.

"Jake Libby rode his luck a bit as he became the first player to score a century against Durham this season. Durham were also the last team in the Championship this season to concede one."