WORCESTERSHIRE'S captain Ben Smith and Jon Lewis his opposite number at Durham were frustrated by the weather as their Frizzell County Championship Division Two match was washed away at Stockton.

Both skippers showed a good deal of enterprise to set up an entertaining finish in a game where half the playing time was lost to the weather.

Durham declared on Thursday's total of 146 for three, the County forfeited their second innings and Smith set a target of 250 from a possible 67 overs after the morning session was lost.

Kabir Ali struck in his first over when Michael Gough edged to second slip but young England star Gordon Muchall played some magnificent strokes and dominated the partnership of 132 in 29 overs for the second wicket.

At tea Durham were in the driving seat needing 115 from 31 overs with nine wickets in hand - but Lewis was lbw to the first ball after the break and Worcestershire claimed the next five wickets in the space of only four overs with just three runs added.

The prize scalp was Muchall, who mishooked a catch which was well held by Anurag Singh running back from square leg after striking eight fours and a six in his 74.

South African Test all-rounder Andrew Hall, in his first Championship match, claimed three for 10 and off-spinner Gareth Batty recovered from his earlier mauling by Muchall to finish with three consecutive wicket maidens.

But just as Smith looked as though he had landed his gamble the appalling weather returned to wash away the last 22 overs and deny Worcestershire their first win of the season.

Afterwards disappointed Smith said: "It was deeply frustrating. We needed a win to launch our season and that's twice we've been denied when very close to victory.

"I think both sides deserve credit for their positive attitude in trying to get the game going again and at tea even though there was only one wicket down I felt our chance would come."

Meanwhile, Worcestershire's Twenty20 Cup match against Gloucestershire scheduled for Monday, June 16 at Bristol will now be played on Saturday, June 14, starting at 10.30am.

The games will be shown live on Channel 4.