Jake Libby completed 1,000 first class runs for the second time in three seasons as Worcestershire made an encouraging start to their top-two LV=Insurance County Championship encounter with leaders Durham on a truncated day at New Road.
The opener brought up his personal milestone with a single off Durham’s new signing, Sri Lankan seamer Vishwa Fernando shortly before the close.
Libby and Gareth Roderick put on 97 and gave Worcestershire an ideal start when play finally got underway at 3.45pm with a possible 36 overs remaining.
Roderick completed an excellent half century before he was dismissed shortly before the close at 104-1 from 27 overs.
Conditions had looked ideal for bowling after Durham captain Scott Borthwick won the toss but Libby and Roderick showed their quality in laying an excellent platform.
Worcestershire began the game 21 points ahead of third placed Leicestershire and named an unchanged side.
Roderick and Jake Libby adopted a positive approach against the new ball attack of Ben Raine and Durham debutant Vishwa Fernando.
Roderick off drove Raine for the first boundary of the innings and then flicked him off his legs for another four.
Libby turned Fernando off his legs for his opening boundary and the first 10 overs yielded 41 runs.
He produced two of the shots of a truncated session with back foot cover drives for four at the expense of Fernando and Paul Coughlin.
The 50 came up in the 12th over as runs continued to be accumulated at a healthy rate.
Libby had a slice on good fortune on 43 as replays showed him just short of his ground from Paul Coughlin’s direct hit after turning Bas de Leede to cover.
Roderick drove de Leede for his eighth boundary to complete a 73 ball half century. He was bowled by de Leede’s next delivery after working to leg.
Libby completed his personal run milestone shortly before the players were taken off.
