Ben Stokes top-scored with his first half-century of the season as 23 wickets fell on a day full of drama in the Vitality County Championship match between Durham and Worcestershire at Seat Unique Riverside.

Stokes made 56 in a welcome return to form for the home side in their innings of 190, but Nathan Smith impressed for the visitors by claiming figures of four for 36, while Ben Allison and Matthew Waite notched three and two wickets apiece.

Worcestershire looked to be making steady inroads in their reply at 71 for two but lost their final eight wickets for 41 runs as Matthew Potts claimed four for 29 to bolster his credentials for selection in the first Test of the summer.

Durham entered their second innings with a 78-run lead, but lost three quick wickets after only extending their lead to 111 at the close.

Worcestershire made the most out of advantageous conditions after winning the toss on a gloomy Chester-le-Street. Smith found his line and length immediately to pin Durham captain Scott Borthwick lbw with the fifth ball of the innings. Tom Taylor followed suit with a full length to find Colin Ackermann’s outside edge as Gareth Roderick claimed a fine diving catch in front of first slip.

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