Jones grabs five amid the showers
7:12pm Thursday 15th May 2008
SIMON Jones picked up his second five-wicket haul in less than a week as Worcestershire ripped through the remaining Gloucestershire batsmen in a rain-affected day at New Road.
The Welshman, who returned a career one-day best of 5-32 on Sunday in the Friends Provident Trophy against Hampshire Hawks, quickly wrapped up the visitors' innings on a day where only 11.2 overs were possible due to rain and bad light.
Gloucestershire resumed the day on 411-6, before Jones and Australian Steve Magoffin took less than an hour to remove the visitors for 444.
The 29-year-old, making his home championship debut, needed less than an over for his first wicket as he removed Gloucestershire wicketkeeper Steve Snell for 127.
The 25-year-old gloveman failed to add to his overnight score as he took a wild swing only to edge behind to Steven Davies.
Magoffin was next to strike as he dug in a short ball which Matt Gitsham could only fend into the hands of Davies for five, giving the Bromsgrove-born wicketkeeper his fifth catch of the match.
Jones, who dismissed Gloucestershire openers Grant Hodnett and Craig Spearman on the opening day, then removed Mark Hardinges (82) in the 10th over of the day as he beat the all-rounder for pace to leave his off stump rocking and put the visitors on 436-9.
With the Nevil Road side's number 10 and 11 at the crease, the 2005 England Ashes hero sent Anthony Ireland's (0) off stump somersaulting for his fifth wicket, his first championship five-wicket haul since September 2004 at Yorkshire, and end the Gloucestershire innings.
Worcestershire were unable to start their reply last night as bad light brought play to a close.