WORCESTERSHIRE all-rounder Andrew Hall dem-onstrated his 'street-fighting' qualities by hitting a battling half-century which left Zimbabwe facing a modest victory target of 176 at New Road today.

The tourists launched their run chase today after bowling the County out for 247 last night.

They lost two quick wickets when Mark Vermeulen was caught behind off Mark Harrity for a duck and Dion Ebrahim was also caught off Kabir Ali to leave them 20-2 after seven overs.

Yesterday 27-year-old Hall, making his debut for Worcestershire after jetting in last Thursday following international duty for South Africa, cracked a priceless 68 to give his new side a timely boost after they had trailed by 72 runs on first innings.

His determined efforts, however, were no more than Tom Moody was expecting. The New Road director of cricket said: "Andrew is a real fierce competitor as a cricketer. You would liken him a bit to a streetfighter. He's in your face and an aggressive all-rounder."

Hero Hall's welcome contribution came after the County had slipped to 132-4.

This followed the departure of Stephen Peters, who was caught at deep point by Stuart Carlisle off paceman Doug Hondo for 63. He notched ten fours off 102 balls and put on 63 in 21 overs with Anurag Singh (35).

Despite other batsmen failing to get into full flow, Hall, who scored 34 in the first innings, made sure the Zimbabwe attack did not have it all their own way by reaching his well deserved half-century off 80 balls. By the time he was seventh out he had chalked up one six and 12 fours off 106 deliveries.

Yesterday began with the victory-scenting tourists taking their overnight score of 296-8 to 334-9 all out off 126.2 overs. Skipper Heath Streak did not bat because of a back problem.

Carlisle, on 139 not out overnight, was finally dismissed for an impressive 157 which included two sixes and 22 fours off 374 balls. He put on a useful 56 with Hondo who was unbeaten on 24 .

The County's most productive bowler was paceman Kabir Ali with 3-89.