By Jon Steer
April 21 2005

After the first ninety minutes today, it looked as if Worcestershire were going to enjoy a profitable morning. The openers saw off the threat of Steve Harmison and scored well from Liam Plunkett but things were soon to change as they slipped from 75-0 to 114-5 at lunch. It was Mark Davies that made the breakthrough at a time when the Worcs openers Peters and Moore were scoring well. First Peters was bowled and then soon after Moore was trapped lbw. With the score at 84-2 it fell to Grahame Hick and Ben Smith to carry on the Worcs innings.

Davies was not finished and after a short spell during which Worcs looked to be consolidating he removed Smith, captain Solanki and Batty within the space of a couple of overs.

Worcs had lost five wickets for less than 40 runs and Mark Davies had morning figures of 12.3 overs, 6 maidens, 5 wickets for 29 runs.

All Worcs hopes for a decent first innings total now rest with Grahame Hick, but he is very capable at leading the fightback.