SKIPPER Jon Lewis yesterday insisted that his young players must heed the lessons of the biggest defeat in Durham's first-class history.

All out for 215 in their second innings at Worcester, they lost by an innings and 308 runs to erase from the record books the defeat by an innings and 251 runs inflicted by Leicestershire at the Riverside in 1996.

"We have to be critical after a defeat like that," said Lewis. "Lessons are not being learned as quickly as we would like.

"We won the toss and completely failed to utilise it.

"The batsmen lost the game in the first session and there was no excuse.

"When we made big totals at home to Gloucestershire then at Lord's it looked like an area where we were learning, but this is a backward step.

"The riot act was read after the first day and I was quite pleased with the character of the side on the second day.

"All credit to Gordon Muchall that he has done as well as he has, but in an ideal world we would want him to continue developing at five or six, not at No 3.

"Nicky Peng is struggling at the moment, but we have to maintain faith in such a talented player. Confidence is a big thing with him, and we have to find situations that make it possible for him to get it back.

"It's a test of character for him and when he comes through it he will be a better player.

"In situations like this you want to bring in fresh faces, but you need people coming in on the back of some form and the seconds are having a poor week.

"We would like to see Michael Gough batting for a full day in the seconds or providing the anchor in a one-day innings. Jimmy Daley has done that once this week, which puts him in the forefront of our minds."

Resuming at 50 without loss yesterday, Durham lost Lewis to the day's ninth ball and slumped pitifully to 83 for six before Danny Law and Graeme Bridge restored a semblance of pride.

They put on 69 and Law continued his welcome return to form by finishing on 72 not out, reaching his 81-ball 50 by cutting Kabir Ali for his eighth four and celebrating by driving the next three balls to the boundary.

On talent alone, Law ought to be batting at five, not seven, in this line-up. He had more time to play his shots than any other batsman yesterday and refused to be intimidated by the bullying tactics of Andy Bichel.

The Australian paceman claimed one undeserved wicket when one of his short deliveries left a large bruise on Marc Symington's arm, only for umpire Vanburn Holder to give him out caught behind.

It's strange how digits stay down when the great Graeme Hick is involved, but not when Durham youngsters are on the rack.

Bichel also bounced out Mark Davies and tried to do the same to Neil Killeen, who kept fending him off just short of fielders.

The best bowler was 21-year-old Kabir Ali, whose morning spell earned him figures of four for 45 from 13 overs.

Ali, the country's joint leading wicket-taker with Dominic Cork, bowled very accurately to claim three of the top four.

Lewis and Peng were caught at first slip by Vikram Solanki and Gary Pratt was lbw offering no stroke after making 33.

Muchall unwisely tried to cut a wide one from Bichel to be caught behind and another rash stroke brought Andrew Pratt's downfall, when at attempted pull off Ali lobbed behind the slips, where Solanki ran round for the third of his four catches.

There was some respite when David Leatherdale replaced Ali and Bridge took 14 off his third over to move ahead of Law, who was playing with calm assurance.

On 33 Bridge was dropped at second slip off Alamgir Sheriyar, but he added only one before the left armer again found his edge and Steve Rhodes took the catch.

There was further defiance from Killeen as Law's four successive fours off Ali were followed by two driven fours from Killeen off Bichel.

The ninth wicket pair put on 45 before Killeen suffered the same fate as Bridge and it was all over when off-spinner Gareth Batty bowled Nicky Hatch.

It was Worcestershire's biggest win in first-class cricket, the previous record of an innings and 233 runs having stood since 1909.

Durham will consider bringing down Ian Hunter for tomorrow's National League match at Worcester, but don't want to risk damaging Bridge's confidence by replacing him with Nicky Phillips.

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