ALAN Richardson claimed his 250th first-class wicket in just less than four seasons with Worcestershire on the opening day of their final LV= County Championship Division Two match of the campaign.

Promotion-chasing Northamptonshire skittled the lack-lustre hosts for just 163 as they closed in on the five points required to secure a place at the top table of English domestic cricket.

However, Richardson’s scalps came as part of a fightback of sorts from the County, which saw the visitors close the day on 103-4.

A partnership of 72 between Matt Pardoe and Jack Shantry dragged Worcestershire back from the brink after another woeful batting performance from the top order saw Steve Rhodes’ side slump to 76-7.

David Willey won lbw decisions against Daryl Mitchell and Moeen Ali off the second and fourth balls of the match to leave the hosts in disarray.

former Worcestershire all-rounder Andrew Hall di the damage with 5-30 as Shaaiq Choudhry became the third batsmen to be bowled without playing a shot and at the same time was Hall’s 600th first-class victim.

Pardoe reached his half-century off 136 balls and found a willing and able partner in Shantry, who scored freely on the way to a career-best 55 not out.

Richardson claimed the wicket of David Sales early on, before former Worcestershire opener Stephen Peters became his 250th first-class victim for the New Road side. Shantry and Moeen Ali also struck to leave Northants 147 runs short of the bonus points they need for promotion.