WORCESTERSHIRE took firm control of their LV County Championship Division Two match at Warwickshire, but were left with a potentially bigger problem.

Simon Jones failed to make an appearance on day two at Edgbaston after his neck locked during the morning warm-up session.

The Welshman bowled three overs on the opening day of this game in Birmingham and took one wicket for two runs, but more importantly he looked lively.

Worcestershire's director of cricket Steve Rhodes is optimistic that Jones may figure in this match after a day of intensive treatment, however, veteran batsman Graeme Hick is playing through the pain barrier with an elbow injury.

Rhodes says they may continue to risk Hick until the problem is such that he may need an operation.

"Graeme has some particles floating around in his elbow," Rhodes revealed. "At the moment he is desperate to play and with the one-day games just about to start we may keep him going.

"He may require surgery to correct the problem but at the moment we are going to see how it goes.

"Simon has been getting treatment all day and if I'm honest he will wake up pretty stiff. But it should get easier and hopefully he will be able to feature again in this match.

"He bowled ok in the morning in the warm-up but as we were going through it just locked up, it is just one of those things - it isn't anything serious."

Rhodes was delighted with the way that his side have played in this match and singled Stephen Moore out for special praise after he scored 66 in his second innings to follow on from his unbeaten 109.

"Stephen's first innings was exceptional," Rhodes said. "In fact that was probably the best innings he has had for us.

"Him and Vikram both played extremely well and now we will play with the weather in mind as the forecasts for the next two days aren't very good."

Having resumed on 39-3, the Bears looked to take control and in the morning session they found Gareth Andrew's bowling to their liking, hitting him for 35 off six overs.

But the former Somerset man came back strongly after lunch, wrapping up the Warwickshire innings in fine form by taking three wickets in seven balls for no runs as Worcestershire skittled the hosts out for 215, giving themselves a 34-run first innings lead.

Warwickshire were quick to strike in the New Road side's second innings with Daryl Mitchell out for five, but then skipper Vikram Solanki and Moore led the charge.

With fine half-century knocks each, the skipper and the first innings centurion helped Worcestershire to close on 150-2, giving them a lead of 184.