WARWICKSHIRE'S lower batsmen Dougie Brown and Neil Carter led a remarkable recovery which earned their side maximum bonus points in the Frizzell County Championship Division One derby with Worcestershire at Edgbaston.

The Bears were reduced to 50 for four and then 174 for six in reply to Worcestershire's 379 on a wicket of variable bounce which was monitored throughout the day by ECB pitch inspector David Hughes.

But Brown and Carter took toll of some wayward bowling as Warwickshire raced along at more than five runs an over and achieved an unlikely first innings lead as they reached 405 all out in the 75th over.

Worcestershire then lost the wickets of Stephen Peters (2) and the in-form Graeme Hick (29) in reaching 70 for two by the close -- a lead of 44.

The day yielded a total of 481 runs - the highest total in a day in the championship this season -- with 245 of them coming in a frenetic afternoon session.

But Worcestershire will know they were guilty of an erratic performance given the helpful bowling conditions.

Nadeem Malik, a winter recruit from Nottinghamshire, came in for the roughest punishment and his 11 overs cost 83 runs, while Mark Harrity conceded 48 in eight.

Australian paceman Andy Bichel picked up five wickets but even he proved expensive as he gave away 126 runs in 20.1 overs.

The only bowler to apply any control was Matt Mason who finished with four for 80 from 22 overs.

Hughes will also watch today's play before deciding whether to convene an ECB pitches panel who would decide whether a penalty is merited.

Worcestershire soon lost a third wicket today when Stephen Moore failed to add to his overnight score of 30.

Naqaash Tahir grabbed his second wicket of the innings when he had Moore caught behind by Tony Frost to leave Worcestershire 70-3.