KABIR Ali claimed five wickets to put Worcestershire in control of the Liverpool Victoria County Championship Division Two match with Gloucestershire at Bristol.

On a pitch which has been a batsman's paradise, England 'A' seamer Ali returned an impressive 5-78 from 23.3 overs as Gloucestershire were bowled out for 471 to concede a first innings deficit of 116.

Ali's victims included the key wicket of Craig Spearman, who had taken his overnight 160 on to 192 before he was caught in the slips by Graeme Hick.

Gloucestershire were in danger of being made to follow on until Ian Harvey, who did not bat until number eight because of a hamstring strain, continued his outstanding form this season by making an unbeaten 50 from 62 deliveries.

Worcestershire reached 107-3 in their second innings for an overall lead of 223, but 32 overs were lost from the day when rain prevented any play after tea.

Gloucestershire had resumed on 290-2 and Worcestershire, inspired by Ali's whole-hearted bowling from the Pavilion End, did well to take the eight remaining wickets for 181 runs.

Ali, who had dismissed Philip Weston the previous day, quickly took two more wickets as Chris Taylor and Alex Gidman were caught behind by Steve Davies.

Spearman greeted the introduction of Roger Sillence at the Jessop Stand End by taking four boundaries, all cut behind square, off the first over bowled by the former Gloucestershire paceman.

But Spearman's hopes of reaching a double hundred were dashed when off-spinner Gareth Batty had him taken at slip by Hick, who held a fine one-handed catch to his right.

When Batty had Steve Adshead caught at the wicket by Davies four overs later, Gloucestershire were 378-6 -- still 50 short of avoiding the follow-on.

But Harvey, batting with Taylor as his runner, responded in typically positive style. He took 14 off an over from Ali, with a four cut to third man, a six hooked to long leg and a four pulled to mid-wicket, and eased to a 58-ball half-century.

Mark Hardinges contributed 35 before he fell lbw to Sillence in the first over after lunch, and Sillence struck again six overs later when Martyn Ball was caught in the slips by Hick for 12.

Kabir wrapped up the innings by having Carl Greenidge caught by Sillence at long leg and Steve Kirby taken at first slip by Ben Smith.

Worcestershire were reduced to 33 for two in the ninth over of their second innings after Greenidge had Phil Jaques caught at gully by Taylor and Stephen Moore edged Kirby to Spearman at first slip.

It became 76 for three when Vikram Solanki was dismissed for 29 when he cut Greenidge to Weston on the third man boundary.

Smith (37) and Hick (11) added 31 more runs by tea, but then the rain arrived.