WORCESTERSHIRE topped the 300 mark for the fourth time in five first innings since returning to LV= County Championship Division One.

Tom Fell (78) and wicketkeeper Ben Cox (67) were the leading contributors against Durham at New Road after the hosts were put into bat after a delayed start because of rain.

But there were useful contributions from the lower order too as the County recovered from 185-6 to reach 323 all out in 81.3 overs and claim three batting points.

Skipper Daryl Mitchell (0) departed to the second delivery when he was Chris Rushworth's 30th victim of the season.

Richard Oliver and Fell both took advantage of occasional lapses in length by Rushworth.

They claimed three fours and four byes off Graham Onions brought up the Worcestershire 50 in the 15th over.

Oliver collected two boundaries at Onions' expense but in the same over was bowled attempting to drive off his legs for 36 off 47 balls with six fours.

His stand with Fell realised 64 runs in 16 overs.

Alex Gidman was trapped lbw for 12 by Rushworth early in the afternoon but then Fell figured in another fine partnership with Alexei Kervezee.

The County duo added 72 in 20 overs before both were dismissed by successive deliveries.

Kervezee (21) edged behind off Paul Coughlin and Fell was caught at second slip after hitting 12 fours and a six in 157 balls.

In-form Cox maintained his sequence of impressive scores, initially aided by Ross Whiteley (15) and Joe Leach (24) before adding 50 for the eighth wicket with Sachithra Senanayake (16).

Another valuable 49 runs were acquired in partnership with Jack Shantry (23).

Cox was last out for 67 off 73 balls with eight fours and Durham reached 14-0 off seven overs by close.