Chester-le-Street may not be known as the swinging capital of Britain, but its Riverside cricket ground is developing such a reputation.

The present hazy skies are just one factor: another is an adjacent river, the Wear, and a large, green outfield that helps to keep the ball shiny. Thus, neither side have reached 200, and only one run separates them.

Worcestershire's bowlers, so heavily under the cosh this summer, must have enjoyed yesterday's work as they sought to capitalise on their thrilling start on Tuesday evening when they sent back three Durham batsmen for ducks. Indeed, the visiting team probably bowled better than their hosts. Their biggest threat was Kabir Ali, who gained maximum swing at speed - though Matt Mason was not far behind.

None of Kabir's six wickets, for 68, was more impressively won than that of the experienced Dale Benkenstein, who had dropped anchor and was resisting all temptation - until he got a ball that was full enough to require a defensive stroke. He could not avoid edging the perfect outswinger to the wicketkeeper.

This was quickly followed by two more wickets to full-length balls, leaving the champions on 59 for six.

Worcestershire, who have trailed on first innings in every game this season, looked odds-on to reverse that trend but the skies became clearer, Worcestershire's support bowlers were not swingers of Kabir's class and Liam Plunkett and Phil Mustard were in forthright mood with the bat.

Mustard reached a valuable fifty and edged Durham in front by one run before losing his last partner.

Worcestershire: First Innings 193 (A A Noffke 50; L E Plunkett 6 for 63)
Second Innings
D K H Mitchell not out 0
A N Kervezee not out 0
Extras 0
Total (no wkt, 0.1 overs) 0
Bowling: Claydon 0.1-0-0-0.
Durham: First Innings
M J Di Venuto b K Ali 0
K J Coetzer b K Ali 30
*W R Smith b K Ali 0
G J Muchall c Knappett b Mason 0
D M Benkenstein c Knappett b K Ali 25
I D Blackwell b Mason 1
P Mustard not out 63
L E Plunkett c Batty b Mason 29
C D Thorp lbw b K Ali 17
M E Claydon c Knappett b K Ali 6
M Davies b Whelan 6
Extras (b 4, lb 5, w 2, nb 6) 17
Total (55.5 overs) 194
Fall of wickets: 1-0, 2-0, 3-1, 4-56, 5-59, 6-59, 7-105, 8-140, 9-171.
Bowling: K Ali 18-4-68-6; Mason 21-8-55-3; Noffke 10-4-28-0; Whelan 6.5-1-34-1.
Umpires: R J Bailey and N G B Cook.