[Ska'dForLife-WBA]

Day Four

Morning: After the third day was entirely lost to rain, Sunday brought a bit of welcome sunshine and warmth through the clouds. Riki Wessels fell in the first over of the day, edging a Tim Bresnan ball high to second slip for 17. New man Ben Cox took a positive approach, and scored 23 off 33 deliveries before the new ball trapped him LBW. But Jack Haynes and Ed Barnard stuck together at the crease, and it was once again Worcestershire's session as with just two wickets falling for ninety runs, the Pears reached the interval on 288-6.

Afternoon: On 87 and looking more than good for his maiden first-class century, it was a heartbreaking and disastrously unlucky end for Haynes when Liam Norwell deflected a straight drive onto the non-striker's stumps, and the twenty-year-old was run out backing up; a decision that even the umpire seemed sorry to give. Alzarri Joseph came in with a first-ball six, and after bringing up the third batting point, a short spell of excitement followed as Worcestershire set about chasing a fourth batting point at eight runs an over. Barnard completed another half-century in the process, and Joseph was instrumental to the acceleration with a run-a-ball 17 including a lofted four through mid-off that bounced just short of the rope, before he went for one hit too many and was caught at long-on. With the charge wobbling and Warwickshire only needing one more wicket for an extra bowling point, Joe Leach picked up an early boundary through cover point to make the target eight off the last over, and after two dot balls to begin the 110th, a splendid cover-drive to the rope from Barnard was followed by a mad flash that nicked the toe-end of the bat, flew over the slips and gave Worcs the all-important fourth point. After blocking the last couple of balls to deny Warks their last bonus point, and adding a few more runs for good luck, Worcestershire declared on 364-8 with a lead of 21. Early breakthroughs raised the slender hope of a positive result, with Rob Yates feathering behind for 5 off Leach and Pieter Malan edging to first slip for 28 off Joseph, but on 45-2 at tea, it was obvious that only a total collapse in the next hour would change the outcome.

Evening: There was no collapse, of course, though Joseph had time to claim one more scalp when Will Rhodes slashed a ball straight to backward point for 25; the now-familiar fist-bump brought an early end to proceedings once again, and Worcestershire notched up their fifth consecutive draw.

Match DRAWN

The Verdict: Another weekend, another draw, though this time it was the weather rather than the pitch to blame. All in all, the sterling final-day efforts that ensured Worcestershire gained a point on their rivals made this a decent outing for the Pears, which might not have been the case after the clown-shoes catching on Thursday. Though we were denied what promised to be a close and compelling contest by the rain, here's hoping the return fixture in July will compensate. For now, Worcs have to carry the quest for a first win of the season up to this year's dark horses, Durham.