Harmison polishes off Worcestershire

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In a rare appearance for his county, the England fast bowler began his rehabilitation from the Ashes debacle in Australia by completing match figures of eight for 115 when newly-promoted Worcestershire subsided for 297 in their second innings.

Scroll down to read more:

Early finish: Steve Harmison finished off the Worcester resistance to return figures of 8-115

It may take a long time for Harmison to live down the horrific start to the winter series when his first ball to Justin Langer in Brisbane flew hopelessly wide to Andrew Flintoff at second slip.

But the good news for England, and their new coach, Peter Moores, is that Harmison's radar is back in working order.

After wrecking Worcestershire's first innings with a spell of three for 21, he cleared the path to victory by bowling Australian opener Phil Jaques for 97 yesterday and finished with five for 63.

The hosts were still 287 behind when resuming at 251 for six on the last morning and an already hopeless-looking position worsened in Harmison's second over when Gareth Batty fell when only three short of a half-century.

The all-rounder took one risk too many after adding three boundaries. Having chopped the previous ball dangerously close to gully, Batty repeated the shot and this time a comfortable chance was taken by Harmison's younger brother, Ben, in their first appearance together in county cricket.

The spotlight moved away from the family when Callum Thorpe assumed a leading role by taking the last three wickets in Durham's charge through Worcestershire's lower order.

The pattern of hitting a boundary and departing straightaway was maintained in the next two dismissals.

Roger Sillence played a fine off-drive before he was lbw in the fifth over of the day. Kabi Ali, having played through impressive shots through the covers, went the same way after making a rapid 19.

Doug Bollinger, with a batting average of less than 10 for Australian state New South Wales, hung around for nine overs until he was last out, edging a catch to Gareth Breese at first slip.

Durham only stayed in the First Division by half a point last season but, in taking just 55 minutes to polish off Worcestershire today, they pipped champions Sussex for the distinction of claiming the summer's first win in the Championship.