Fast wickets for Josh Davey put Leicestershire in field seat at Worcestershire
Worcestershire 83 (Wright 5-32, Davey 3-26) and 26 for two (Haynes 17*, Davey 2-19) want 245 runs to beat Leicestershire 173 and 180 (Hill 49, Leach 5-41, Waite 4-21)
Leicestershire picked up two early wickets after setting Worcestershire a difficult 271 goal on a still-bowler pleasant pitch on day two of the LV=Insurance County Championship match at New Road.
Loan signing Josh Davey from Somerset made the double breakthrough in dismissing openers Azhar Ali – for a pair – and Ed Pollock in his first over.
Gareth Roderick and Jack Haynes managed to outlive to the shut at 26 for two however the untrustworthy nature of the pitch means the Foxes will probably be favourites tomorrow to finish a second win of the marketing campaign.
Leicestershire had earlier been bowled out for 180 after Joe Leach‘s spectacular five-wicket return and Matthew Waite‘s Championship-best figures of 4 for 21.
It was the sixteenth five-for of Leach’s distinguished profession and Waite eclipsed his earlier better of 4 for 35 within the corresponding fixture final season.
Captain Lewis Hill’s affected person 49 was largely chargeable for the guests having the ability to set a frightening goal on a wicket of uneven bounce.
After the dramas of day one, when 22 wickets fell, the sport proceeded at a extra sedate tempo for the primary half of the day as Leicestershire seemed to capitalise on their first-innings lead of 90.
There have been two nightwatchers occupying the crease when play resumed – however each quickly fell to Leach.
Davey may solely assist a supply which bounced on him to Pollock at first slip and Will Davis went lbw working to leg.
There was extra pleasure for Leach when Colin Ackerman fenced at a supply exterior the off stump and Pollock did the remaining.
Leach’s morning spell introduced the wonderful figures of 7-4-15-3 however then Hill and Peter Handscomb entrenched themselves throughout a partnership of 71 in 30 overs.
The pair batted sensibly and took few dangers in making certain Leicestershire constructed a considerable lead on a pitch the place the occasional ball nonetheless misbehaved.
Handscomb, on 11, needed to survive a supply from Adam Finch which spat up off a size and flew onto the off aspect after which a assured enchantment for lbw from Waite to the final ball earlier than lunch.
Play progressed at a serene tempo however then Waite instigated a collapse which noticed 5 wickets tumble for 20 runs.
His first over again into the assault introduced in regards to the downfall of Hill, one wanting a deserved half-century, when he inside edged onto his stumps.
Waite then struck 3 times in an over and ended the resistance of Handscomb who battled away for 26 off 98 balls however then aimed a blow on the leg aspect and was caught off a forefront by Brett D’Oliveira working again to deep mid off.
Wiaan Mulder tried to drive Waite off the again foot and was taken at second slip by Haynes who then pulled off a fantastic low one-handed effort to the following supply to dismiss Tom Scriven.
Leach wrapped up the innings when Rehan Ahmed went for a giant blow and was stumped.
Worcestershire wanted a stable begin in the event that they have been to harbour life like ambitions of chasing down their goal however Azhar and Pollock shortly perished to undistinguished pictures towards Davey.
Azhar accomplished a pair when he took a stride ahead, tried to work the ball by means of midwicket and as an alternative edged low to first slip. Pollock additionally aimed a blow on the leg aspect however as an alternative the ball lobbed a delicate catch to cowl at 2 for two.
Roderick and Haynes obtained their heads down however there have been indicators of the heavy curler carrying off and batting changing into harder earlier than the untimely shut as a result of dangerous gentle and rain with 14 overs remaining.