WORCESTERSHIRE may have only been able to field a second string bowling attack but they were more than a match for title rivals Warwickshire on the second day of the LVCC Division Two clash at New Road.
The league leaders had a miserable start to the day as they slipped from 282-5 to 339 all out, but like Worcestershire’s seam department has done all season, they put the New Road side in a winning position.
Even without the likes of Kabir Ali, the country’s joint-leading wicket-taker, Simon Jones or Matt Mason, Warwickshire could not cope with Imran Arif, AJ Harris, Gareth Andrew or Chris Whelan.
Worcestershire’s director of cricket Steve Rhodes will undoubtedly be grinning from ear-to-ear as his weakened team eased to a 133-run lead at stumps.
At the start of the day, skipper Vikram Solanki looked set to notch his fifth century of the campaign, before Chris Woakes began a devastating spell of 3-0 in eight balls, trapping him leg-before for 91.
The Warwickshire teenager was unable to go and claim the five-wicket haul he deserved as Neil Carter finished with figures of 6-100.
Worcestershire may have been unable to achieve maximum batting points but they got off to the perfect start in removing the visiting batsmen to pick up a full complement of bowling points —restricting Warwickshire to just two batting points.
Until today, Harris had failed to pick up a first-class run or a wicket this season but he achieved both at New Road yesterday.
He may have only scored one, but he struck in his first over as Bears’ skipper Darren Maddy edged the on-loan Nottinghamshire seamer to Steve Davies.
Whelan went on to claim a career best 4-66, while Arif (3-72) and Andrew (1-60) wrap-ped up the rest as Warwick-shire were dismissed for 251.
If there was a downside to the County’s performance it was in failing to enforce the follow-on after having their neighbours 119-6 at one stage.
Daryl Mitchell (19no) and Solanki (10no) eased Worcestershire to 45-1 at the close after Stephen Moore fell for nine, edging Woakes to wicketkeeper Tim Ambrose.
“The young guys have done a good job,” Solanki said of his bowlers.
“It can be easier when you have got the experienced guys around, but they are missing. The rest have to step up and do the bulk of the work and it is nice that they have been able to do that.
“I’m particularly pleased for Chris, who has come in and taken four wickets. He deserves this opportunity and he has taken it well.”
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