CRICKET is becoming increasingly bizarre with last-wicket stands often being the highest of the innings. They don't usually involve a No 3 batsman but Scott Borthwick stood firm to reach a marvellous century and put on 95 with Graham Onions.

It was the third highest tenth-wicket partnership in Durham's history and cut Durham's deficit to 125.

The innings ended in disappointing fashion, when Borthwick looked shocked to be adjudged lbw to Jack Shantry for 103. Durham were all out for 198 with Onions on 36, his highest score for three years.

While the rest of the batsmen fell in an undignified heap at Worcester, Borthwick had progressed to 47 out of 103 for nine when he was joined by Onions.

Seventy runs later the follow-on had been avoided, Onions taking Durham past the target with an off-drive for four which took him to 30, his highest score for three years. It was warmly greeted by the travelling support.

Borthwick did have a few early difficulties. When getting off the mark with a clip behind square he went back for a slightly risky second and had to scramble in as the ball struck his helmet, which had to be replaced.

On three he inside edged Charlie Morris for four, the ball just missing his leg stump, but he was largely untroubled thereafter and had eight fours in his 93-ball half-century.

When Onions went in the field was pushed back and Borthwick settled for taking singles off the fourth or fifth ball of each over, although two pulls and an off-drive did produce three successive fours off Jack Leach.

While all previous edges had carried, Onions edged Charlie Morris just short of the wicketkeeper on two and on 12 he edged left-armer Ross Whiteley over the slips for four to bring up the 50 stand. The previous highest had been 24 for the first wicket.

Borthwick went to his hundred off 178 balls by pulling Leach for his 14th four.

Durham had to suffer that last-wicket stand of 164 at home to Sussex, then in both teams' second innings collapses at Lord's the last pair shared the biggest partnership.

Paul Coughlin, John Hastings and Chris Rushworth were all out for edged catches in early afternoon and it seemed only a question of whether Worcestershire would enforce the follow-on.

They were spared a tricky decision.