[Ska'dForLife-WBA]

County Championship, Division Two

vs Gloucestershire

Day One

Morning: Gloucestershire put the Pears straight in to bat on a real September morning at New Road; cold, grey and drizzly, with play delayed for a full hour. When things got underway at last, survival was the priority, but tough conditions caused top-order wickets to tumble in quick succession, and the hosts were fortunate to reach lunch on 63-4.

Afternoon: The hole deepened as Ben Cox was caught at third slip for 2 shortly after the interval, and that wicket was the cue for a much-needed counter-attack from Riki Wessels and Ed Barnard, who managed between them to more than double the county's score before the latter was caught behind for 30. Wessels completed an excellent half-century, and looked all set to convert until he holed out to deep square leg for 72, leaving the Pears 187-7. Nevertheless, the lower order came out swinging, with Joe Leach making a rapid 26 as Worcestershire were 221 all out on the stroke of tea.

Evening: For a while it looked as though the visitors might make batting look embarrassingly easy for the remainder of the day, but conditions were still good for bowling, and with the ball nipping about Ed Barnard soon had James Bracey caught behind for 23, followed by Chris Dent caught at third slip for 18. At the other end, after building pressure with a series of maidens, Daryl Mitchell got in on the act with his first Championship wicket of the season when he dismissed Tom Smith LBW for 9. Miles Hammond was the next to go, another casualty of Barnard caught behind for 5; however, just when it seemed like a collapse might be imminent, Ben Charlesworth and Gareth Roderick managed to steer Gloucs safely to close on 87-4, ending a fairly even day's play. With the forecast for Tuesday considerably more batting-friendly, it's going to be vital that the Pears use whatever moisture and movement there is before noon to snaffle a couple of scalps early doors, then attack the tail as soon as possible.