LIAM Plunkett's hopes of following his first-class debut with a championship bow on his native Teesside have fallen foul of Durham's injury jinx.

The England Under 19 all-rounder was in contention to take Dewald Pretorius' place in the side to face Worcestershire at Stockton on Wednesday

But he injured a knee when making a diving a stop against Durham University and physio Nigel Kent said: "We will know better tomorrow, but he is doubtful for this week."

Plunkett was the pick of Durham's bowlers on Saturday, when the others struggled to make an impression on the immaculate Racecourse pitch.

They continued to struggle yesterday as the students made a belated effort to reach a victory target of 299 and finished on 285 for seven.

University captain Alex Loudon, who is on the Kent staff but has yet to play a first-class match for them, made 172 out of a first innings total of 332 for five declared.

But he was beaten a few times early on by Plunkett, who took his maiden first-class wicket when Simon Hawk edged to Andrew Pratt, and regularly got past the bat.

"Liam bowled really well," said Durham coach Martyn Moxon. "Considering it was a flat pitch he got the ball through at very good pace and would certainly have been in contention for Wednesday."

There is better news of Pretorius, who is recovering well from his thigh strain and could be fit to face Derbyshire at Riverside on Wednesday week.

Assuming Vince Wells has shaken off the after-effects of the virus which laid him low last week, Durham could alter the balance of their side at Stockton.

Wells and Danny Law could provide the back-up seam, allowing Durham to retain Gordon Muchall as an extra batsman.

After an unhappy Michael Gough went first ball yesterday, caught low down at short mid-wicket, Muchall made 101 not out off 137 balls before Durham declared at 180 for two in their second innings.

They were already 258 ahead at lunch on 140 for one, but they were keen for Andrew Pratt to have a bat after making only one in the first innings.

Had it not been for a recent ECB directive clamping down on batsmen retiring in these sort of games, Durham skipper Jon Lewis might have made way for Pratt before completing his fifth half-century of the season just before lunch. He finally retired on 58, but for purposes of the averages he has to be considered out.

The match meandered towards the predictable draw until the final hour, when Rob Ferley, another Kent staff man, seemed to decide that the regatta on the adjoining River Wear should not have a monopoly on the excitement.

He finished on 78 not out and his dashing partnership with Sean Polley threatened to win the game until Polley was run out for 39.

The disappointments for Durham were that Gough failed in both innings and Ian Hunter was unable to show any benefit from his modified run-up and action.

"We have shortened his run-up slightly and are trying to get everything going through in a straight line," said Moxon. "He bowled very well for the Durham Board against Glamorgan. But it's not an easy change to make and in his first spell here he was probably a bit nervous about making an impression in the first team. He lost his shape, but he was better later on."

Hunter was sparingly used yesterday, when university opener Ali Maiden scored his second half-century of the match before edging Muchall's first ball to slip.

Despite another classy knock of 40 from Louden, the students had shown no haste until that point, but Muchall proceeded to show that he is not exactly ready for elevation to all-rounder status.

With Gough coming on to bowl five overs for 29 runs, the game opened up, but the students had left their charge too late.

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