A DEADLY bowling display by Gareth Batty has put Worcestershire in a powerful position in their Frizzell County Championship Division One match against Gloucestershire at New Road.

The England off-spinner grabbed 3-27 to leave the visitors a massive 362 runs short of the follow-on target of 470 with only four wickets in hand.

Graeme Hick, who slaughtered the Gloucestershire attack with a tremendous double century, said: "We thought that Batts might have a big part to play, but we'll still have to continue bowling well."

Gloucestershire began collapsing after a 55 runs opening partnership between former New Road opener Phil Weston and Craig Spearman.

Weston (26), however, fell to paceman Nadeem Malik who then removed Tim Hancock (4).

The double strike set the scene for Batty to grab the glory by ousting Matt Windows (1), Spearman (62, including ten fours off 122 balls) and Chris Taylor (7) before paceman Matt Mason dismissed nightwatchman James Averis (2).