Warwickshire 292 for five (Barnard 89, Rhodes 64, Mousley 56*) Worcestershire 360 by 68 runs

Barnard struck a fluent 89 from 124 balls as Warwickshire responded to the guests’ 360 all out by closing the second day on 292 for five. In his first red-ball innings in opposition to the county from which he joined the Bears, the 28-year-old batted with endurance and panache, hitting 11 fours and a six.

Worcestershire resumed on the second morning on 316 for 7 however their hopes of constructing an imposing whole had been scuppered by the superb Chris Rushworth (3 for 97). The previous Durham participant dismissed Nathan Smith, caught at midwicket, after which unleashed an outstanding away-cutter which Joe Leach edged to Rob Yates at second slip.

Jason Holder provided some late-order impetus earlier than skying Michael Sales space to deep level the place Danny Briggs judged a tough catch beautifully within the sturdy wind. From 235 for two on the primary afternoon, Worcestershire would have hoped for greater than 360 in good batting situations.

Warwickshire’s reply was given a perky begin by Yates earlier than he inside-edged a drive at Leach on to his stumps. Alex Davies and Rhodes, current and former captains, then added 65 because the bowlers struggled for rhythm within the ferocious wind. Having set down roots in his first innings as captain, Davies was annoyed to perish for 36 when he mispulled a brief ball from Adam Finch to midwicket. The subsequent ball from Finch was similar however yielded a really completely different outcome as Barnard helped it sweetly over lengthy leg to get off the mark with six first ball.

Rhodes, in his one centesimal first-class match, handed 50 for the thirty third time however, having left numerous balls judiciously, tried to information Smith over the cordon and located solely the fingers of Holder at slip. At 179 for 3, the sport was finely-balanced and additional fast wickets would have given Worcestershire the ascendancy, however Barnard and Mousley settled in so as to add 69 in 22 overs both aspect of tea.

Barnard was 11 runs from a century in opposition to his former team-mates when Finch received an lbw choice. The batter departed in disbelief at a call which appeared to have scope for debate on grounds of each peak and path. He had, nonetheless, capably stuffed the No. 4 spot vacated by Sam Hain who’s lacking this match for private causes.

A late bonus wicket adopted for Worcestershire when Jake Bethell dawdled on a second run and was overwhelmed by Smith’s throw, however Mousley motored to a 95-ball half-century and can return together with his sights set on a maiden first-class ton.