RAIN delayed the start of Worcestershire's Frizzell County Championship Division Two game against Durham at Chester-le-Street today.

Durham were still without Paul Collingwood as they looked for their first Division Two win of the season.

Collingwood, who is recovering well from an Achilles injury and should be back in training next week, missed out again.

Opener Michael Gough, had recovered sufficiently from a head injury sustained against Middlesex to resume his opening partnership with youngster Gary Pratt.

Allan Donald was set to make his first Championship appearance of the season at the Riverside.

The South African has replaced Andy Bichel, while the Australian is away on international duty, and he was poised to line-up in a side likely to be unchanged from the XI that thrashed Gloucestershire in their last four-day game.