Jack Haynes' maiden first-class hundred secures draw for Worcestershire

Worcester-born Haynes' moment to remember came when he edged Matthew Potts for his 17th four before jumping in the air with delight and being embraced by club captain, Brett D'Oliveira

Worcester (fourth day of four): Durham 580-6 & 170-1, Worcestershire 309 & 262-3 - match drawn

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Worcestershire batter Jack Haynes scored his maiden first-class century as he and Azhar Ali batted through the majority of the final day to secure a defiant draw with Durham in the LV=Insurance County Championship match at New Road.

Worcester-born Haynes' moment to remember came when he edged Matthew Potts for his 17th four before jumping in the air with delight and being embraced by club captain, Brett D'Oliveira.

It came from his 227th delivery and was also greeted by a standing ovation from supporters and his team-mates on the dressing room balcony. Haynes, whose father Gavin played for Worcestershire throughout the 1990s, had come so close on previous occasions to this milestone.

He was run out for 87 backing up at the non-striker's end against Warwickshire at Edgbaston last summer and then reached 97 versus Derbyshire at New Road before hitting a Matt Critchley long-hop down deep midwicket's throat.

But there was no denying the 21-year-old on this occasion and his and Azhar's efforts completed a recovery act by the home side after Durham had dominated the opening two days.

From 41 for 4 in reply to Durham's 580 for 6, the Worcestershire batters battled away in both innings to earn themselves what had seemed unlikely 12 points. Pakistan Test batter Azhar also showed all his quality in making a fine 92 and his experience in shepherding Haynes towards three figures would have been invaluable to the youngster.

He has had a testing start to his career with his adopted county but successfully coped with a probing morning spell from new England captain Ben Stokes in some of the most absorbing cricket of the day. Stokes tried to unsettle Azhar with a succession of short-pitched deliveries and had a leg slip and two players in position for the hook but the batter with 94 Tests under his belt was unfazed.

^{Durham couldn't get over the line despite Stokes' rapid century (Gareth Copley/Getty Images)}

Stokes did not return to bowl after tea by which time the final outcome was all but determined. Haynes and Azhar put on 195 and used up 74 overs in largely untroubled fashion on a still true pitch and were only parted shortly before tea.

It was the highest stand by a Worcestershire pair for any wicket against Durham. Durham will be disappointed not to have pressed home their dominance after Stokes' magnificent hitting and Matthew Potts first innings heroics with the ball.

But a combination of the pitch and sheer defiance from a Worcestershire side now showing more resilience left them frustrated. Azhar and Haynes safely negotiated 30 overs during the morning session in adding 76 runs. Chances or half chances were at a premium.

Haynes on 61 attempted to cut Trevaskis but David Bedingham was wrong-footed at first slip and was unable to get his hand to the ball. It was a rare sniff of a wicket but a blatant chance was squandered by the visitors when Azhar on 82 was dropped in the gully off Matt Salisbury. Haynes moved to within two of his century with a cut for four off Trevaskis.

But before he went to three figures, Azhar's fine knock ended in the first over with the second new ball when he edged Chris Rushworth to second slip. After tea, club captain Brett D'Oliveira and Haynes safely negotiated a second spell of the day from Stokes before the two sides shook hands with 16 overs remaining. Haynes ended on 120 not out from 276 balls with 20 fours.