WORCESTERSHIRE director of cricket Steve Rhodes kept his own counsel ahead of meeting the three-man pitch panel investigating the horror wicket at Edgbaston.

The New Road chief was set to meet with the panel following a day where Vikram Solanki was sent to hospital after being struck behind the ear by a Boyd Rankin delivery.

While Rhodes did not want to comment on the pitch until a decision had been reached, he revealed his former captain’s visit to hospital was more of a precautionary measure.

Solanki was back at Edgbaston before stumps on a rain-interrupted third day.

“He has had an X-ray. He has got a bit of soft tissue damage behind his ear, it was more of a precaution to send him as he was hit in an area that is delicate,” Rhodes said.

“He’s got a bit of a sore head, but I don’t think he is concussed. It missed his lid and went straight under his ear.”

But Solanki was not the only player to feel the brunt of the unpredictable Edgbaston pitch as Shaaiq Choudhry was struck on the right elbow with his first ball.

However, Rhodes said his players were all in good spirits as they attempted to battle against defeat.

“Shaaiq is fine, he got hit on the right elbow,” Rhodes said.

“We will just see how Vik is tomorrow morning, hopefully he will go out and bat.

“The players are fine, they are good pros and in many ways they are doing the right thing, going about it with a smile, having a little bit of a laugh and staying positive.”

Worcestershire got a taste of how the day was going to pan out when Alan Richardson was dismissed by an unplayable delivery from slow-left armer Chris Metters, who finished with figures of 6-65 as the New Road side were bowled out for 228.

Despite trailing by 154 runs, the Bears opted against enforcing the follow-on and once again only Mohammad Yousaf, who scored 109 in the first innings, figured out how to play the pitch with 68, though he was struck on the shoulder by Gareth Andrew.

Warwickshire declared on 173-8, setting Worcestershire a target of 328, and Naqaash Tahir quickly made inroads into the New Road batsmen.

James Cameron fell for just one before Solanki was sent sprawling to the floor by Rankin and he retired hurt without scoring.

Following a short rain break, Matt Pardoe was beaten by a low delivery and bowled for four by Tahir.

Alexei Kervezee was then trapped lbw for 13 by the same bowler.

Captain Moeen Ali and Choudhry remained at the crease when play was eventually called off for the day with Worcestershire on 36-3 going into the final day trailing by 291 runs.