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Halfway through this red-ball group campaign, Worcestershire have contrived to remain both unbeaten and winless due to a five-game streak of stalemates that's kept the Pears well in contention within the group, but could rapidly see them slip away with just one or two bad results. In that promising yet precarious situation, the county face a rejuvenated Durham this weekend in a real crunch match.

Due to the county's strict rotation policy, Alzarri Joseph will be rested in favour of a homegrown pace attack. Having come so close to a maiden century last week, it's unlikely that Jack Haynes will be displaced, and fitness permitting, the top order should thus remain unchanged.

The major run-scorer for Durham this season has been David Bedingham, with the wicket-taking threat coming principally from Brydon Carse and Chris Rushworth, though the presence of Mark Wood is a daunting sight too. Will Young is set to make his last appearance before joining the New Zealand touring squad; Cameron Bancroft waits in the wings to replace him. The bowlers will be well rested after last weekend's break, but Worcestershire will hope that the opposition are a bit rusty with bat and ball alike as they search for an elusive win on a weekend when the weather gods may just allow a positive result.