Andrew leads the way (From Worcester News)

Andrew leads the way

6:17pm Wednesday 23rd September 2009 in

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GARETH Andrew’s fine half-century against champions Durham on the opening day of their final LV County Championship Division One match of the season looks set to save Worcestershire from the indignity of recording the lowest points tally since the competition was split in two.

In 2005, Glamorgan were relegated from the top flight with just 88.5 points but, despite beginning the day against Durham on 85 points, Worcestershire closed on 347-9 to add three batting points to that tally.

The former Somerset all-rounder racked up his second half-century of the season, and his career, in 87 balls, hitting nine fours before he was bowled by Liam Plunkett for 77 in what turned out to be a good day for the relegated hosts.

Together with Richard Jones, the pair put on 78 for their highest eighth-wicket partnership of the campaign since the 97 in the second innings of the Hampshire match at the Rose Bowl in the opening contest of the season.

Stephen Moore and Daryl Mitchell got the County off to a confident start but, like in so many other games this season, the New Road side gave the majority of their wickets away.

Moore was out cutting Mark Davies to Shivnarine Chanderpaul at point for 23, Mitchell was trapped leg before for 67 offering no shot to Dale Benkenstein and Moeen Ali edged Liam Plunkett to Benkenstein for 19.

Benkenstein then tempted Alexei Kervezee to edge to Michael DiVenuto at first slip for 46, while Steve Davies was another to pick out Chanderpaul, this time off Mitchell Claydon for 31.

Dave Wheeldon hooked Steve Harmison to Claydon at fine leg for 19 and Jones was trapped leg before by Mark Davies for 27.

Skipper Vikram Solanki was the only Worcestershire batsman who was forced out by a Durham bowler as he tried to dig out a yorker from Plunkett only to get a bottom edge on to his stumps for just four.

Durham’s Harmison also showed glimpses of a bygone year, but it was one he would rather forget.

Everyone can recollect his opening ball in the Ashes series in 2006 Down Under and the England pace ace picked out second slip on more than one occasion at New Road.

Meanwhile, Jack Shantry has signed a new contract at Worcestershire, committing his future to the club until 2011.

The 21-year-old left-arm seamer was given his opportunity this season following injuries to the frontline bowlers and he has taken his chance well.