PACE star Andy Bichel showed his value with the bat during yesterday's friendly against Glamorgan at Kidderminster.

The 30-year-old Australian cracked 33 but it was not enough to prevent the County slipping to a four-run defeat.

It was Worcestershire's last 'warm-up' match before they launch their County Championship campaign against Middlesex at Lord's on Friday.

The County's other friendly at Nottingham-shire ended in a two-wicket defeat.

Yesterday's match was switched to Chester Road to enable further repair work to go ahead at the County Ground following the winter floods.

Glamorgan batted first and made 187-7 off their allotted 50 overs with Mike Powell top-scoring with 53 which contained ten fours off 75 deliveries.

The tally was then given a useful top-up by Adrian Dale who made 47 which included two fours off 89 balls.

Bichel grabbed the wicket of Keith Newell in his first over but failed to strike again, finishing with 1-43 in his 10 overs, while Chris Liptrot, Stuart Lampitt, David Leatherdale and spinner Matt Rawnsley all took one wicket each.

The County found runs difficult to come by and six players failed to reach double figures, including skipper Graeme Hick who fell to paceman Steve Watkin for only five.

Top scorer was wicketkeeper Steve Rhodes who made 36 which included one six and two fours off 47 balls.

Bichel, batting at number eight, stroked one six and three fours, also off 47 deliveries.