DAVID Leatherdale was the hero for Worcestershire as they gained a three-wicket Benson & Hedges Cup triumph over Warwickshire at Edgbaston yesterday.

In a fluctuating match dominated by the bowlers, the County looked to be heading for defeat when they slumped to 73-7 chasing a modest victory target of 131.

But Leatherdale, who had earlier taken 2-18 in seven economical overs, hit a priceless unbeaten 43 and found a staunch ally in Stuart Lampitt. Together, they forged an unbroken match-winning stand of 58 for the eighth wicket.

Despite a superb performance by seamer Alan Richardson, who finished with 4-21 from 10 overs, Worcestershire were able to achieve victory with nine balls to spare.

The County now step up their cup bid with a home match against Glamorgan tomorrow and then take on Somerset at Taunton on Monday.

Warwickshire won the toss and elected to bat but were probably soon regretting the decision as they slipped to 37-3.

Nick Knight was first to go for two with the total on 10 when he dragged a ball from Australian overseas player Andy Bichel on to his stumps. Neil Smith (15) mistimed a cut off Matthew Mason and was caught in the deep by Kabir Ali, who bowled Dougie Brown (13) off his pads not long afterwards.

Ian Bell and skipper Mike Powell dug in against a keen Worcestershire attack and shared a stand of 62 before an amazing collapse saw the last seven wickets fall for just 31 runs in the space of 10 overs.

The collapse was triggered by the dismissal of Powell for 30 when he was caught at mid-wicket by Gareth Batty off Bichel.

Bell was sixth man out for a gritty 40, compiled off 72 balls, when he was caught at mid-wicket by Lampitt off Leatherdale and the tail then capitulated in alarming fashion.

Their cause was not helped by two run-outs -- South African star Shaun Pollock and wicketkeeper Keith Piper.

Bichel took the bowling honours for Worcestershire with four for 24 from 9.4 overs but the versatile Leatherdale was not far behind.

Worcestershire made a steady start, reaching 22 without loss but the hosts then made a crucial breakthrough when Brown bowled Vikram Solanki for three.

Warwickshire then seized the initiative when Mo Sheikh grabbed two wickets in as many balls to reduce the visitors to 29 for three.

First, he bowled Stephen Peters for five and next ball claimed the prized scalp of Graeme Hick, rattling the Worcestershire skipper's stumps before he had a chance to find his bearings.

With Richardson taking up the reins in an inspired spell, Warwickshire made steady inroads and looked to be heading for victory as they reduced their opponents to a parlous 73 for seven.

But Worcestershire still had plenty of overs in hand and two cool heads in Leatherdale and Lampitt. Together, they saw off the dangerous Richardson and Pollock, to inch their team towards victory.