JON Lewis's fifth half-century in five championship innings kept Durham afloat in their match against Worcestershire at Stockton yesterday.

The captain finished on 66 out of a total of 146 for three in reply to the visitors' 395, which was at least 100 more than Durham would have liked to chase.

Another collapse was on the cards when Lewis lost two partners to successive balls with the total on 41, but Gary Pratt found the necessary mixture of vigilance and aggression by contributing 38 to a stand of 99.

Left-hander Pratt had a few difficulties against the highly-rated off spin of Gareth Batty, but twice cracked him through cover for four when he dropped short.

However, Batty had him well caught by Graeme Hick at first slip four overs bfore the close and also troubled nightwatchman Nicky Phillips.

Even though only 44 overs were possible on the first day, it was a mystery why Phil Sharpe had to return for a second look at a perfectly good pitch. It provided further proof that the pitch inspectorate's budget is too high at a time when cutbacks are being made elsewhere.

The ball is turning and is likely to do so increasingly, which could yet leave Durham battling to save the match after losing an important toss.

Other than a purple patch just before lunch, Durham bowled poorly, although Stephen Harmison performed with good control until his figures were spoilt by a flailing last-wicket stand.

After 25 overs he had two for 35, but in four more overs thick edges and rustic swipes saw him concede 34 more runs before he removed Nantie Hayward's off stump.

The South African No 11 had six fours in his 28 off 21 balls, adding to Durham's frustrations by putting on 49 with Kabir Ali, who made 84 not out.

The 22-year-old No 9's previous best was 51 not out at Northampton last year, but coming in after lunch he profited from Durham reverting to bowling too short.

Having barely looked like taking a wicket in the day's first 26 overs, they had grabbed four in the last seven overs before the interval.

It started with Ben Smith surrendering to the first ball of a new spell from Javagal Srinath, whose geriatric loosener was deposited into the hands of Harmison at fine leg.

It was the Worcestershire captain's first real mistake in an impressive innings of 81 off 125 balls, although he was slightly lucky in the day's third over, bowled by Harmison.

Risky shots off successive balls saw Smith, who resumed on 39, almost offer catches to gully and mid-on, then an attempted hook appeared to brush his glove before being well taken by Andrew Pratt low to his left.

Harmison's confident appeal was turned down and after bowling six overs for three runs he was replaced by Danny Law, who Smith cut for four to reach his sixth first-class 50 of the season.

He followed up by cutting three fours in Law's next lamentable over, then Law suddenly found the edge of Vikram Solanki's bat, only for the ball to fall just short of Vince Wells at slip.

Solanki had whipped some delightfully wristy shots through mid-wicket, particularly off Nicky Phillips, who was finding good turn with his off breaks but was reluctant to toss them up outside off stump and finished with none for 80 in 15 overs.

Shortly after Solanki drove Wells through extra cover for his eighth four to reach 50 the rot set in. After Smith's exit South African Andrew Hall lasted only seven balls before driving airily at Srinath and losing his off stump.

When Solanki followed four balls later, edging to Andrew Pratt, Srinath had taken three for none in 11 balls.

With the fourth ball of the last over before lunch Harmison pinned Steve Rhodes lbw and after reducing the visitors to 258 for seven Durham needed to knock over the tail swiftly after lunch.

Instead they fiddled uncertainly through the next 12 overs until the new ball was due with Kabir driving Phillips over long-on for six then guiding him behind point for four to bring up the 300.

Srinath made no impression with the new ball and when Law replaced him Ali followed an effortless pick-up to long leg with another four over extra cover to reach 50 off 63 balls.

He was on 52 out of the stand of 76 when Gareth Batty chipped Wells to mid-wicket and two overs later Wells bowled Matt Mason through a lavish drive.

But the all-rounder couldn't get it right against the final pair and was clobbered for several boundaries.

Michael Gough began Durham's reply by pulling Hayward for six to get off the mark and also pulled the next ball for four.

But on 22 he failed to get forward to a fast, good-length ball from the South African and was bowled.

Gordon Muchall edged the next ball to wicketkeeper Rhodes to continue Durham's problems at No 3, which hopefully will be solved next week by Martin Love.

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