WORCESTERSHIRE paceman Gareth Andrew made a promising return to bowling action at New Road and there was an impressive performance from Ross Whiteley on the second day of the drawn two-day friendly with Gloucestershire.

Andrew took the new ball from the New Road end — a role he enjoyed considerable success with during the early part of last season after Alan Richardson's retirement before he suffered the lumbar pedicle fracture in his back.

He had initially been eased back into action during the pre-season tour of Abu Dhabi after two months of bowling work at Malvern College and New Road in the new year.

But yesterday Andrew bowled three probing spells of seven, three and six overs and picked up the wickets of Will Tavare, Geraint Jones and Craig Miles in finishing with figures of 16-5-36-3 as Gloucestershire were bowled out for 168.

Equally encouraging was the bowling of Whiteley who bowling coach Matt Mason believes can become an important member of the bowling department if his confidence increases.

Whiteley settled into a good groove at the Diglis End and was rewarded with the wickets of Chris Dent, Kieran Neoma-Barnett, James Fuller and Liam Norwell in finishing with 14-4-48-4.

Gloucestershire were chasing a total of 271 after contributions of 85 from Tom Kohler-Cadmore and 64 from Tom Fell on the opening day.

Andrew, who picked up 20 wickets in four LV= County Championship appearances last summer, struck in his sixth over when Tavare pushed forward and was caught by wicketkeeper Ben Cox for 17 with 26 on the board in the 11th over.

The 31-year-old completed a first spell of 1-18 from seven overs.

Charlie Morris shared the new ball with Andrew and bowled a typically testing four-over spell before being replaced by Jack Shantry at the Diglis End.

Morris then swapped ends and took over from Andrew on the completion of his initial spell.

Gloucestershire reached 48-1 but then three wickets fell in three overs at that total — two of them to the ever-impressive Morris who finished his first season of Championship cricket with 52 wickets.

Ian Cockbain (6) drove at Morris and was caught behind before Cox claimed a third catch when opener Dent edged a delivery in the first over from Whiteley who had replaced Shantry in the attack.

Morris struck again when Gareth Roderick was adjudged lbw for 0 to leave Gloucestershire on 48-4 in the 23rd over.

Andrew returned 15 minutes before lunch for a second stint at the New Road end.

Whiteley bowled an encouraging spell and beat the outside edge of the bat on more than one occasion.

By lunch-time, Gloucestershire had reached 56-4 off 29 overs and Andrew had figures of 10-3-18-1 and Whiteley 4-3-4-1.

Hamish Marshall and Jones added 50 for the fifth wicket but then Worcestershire re-established their control with three quick wickets.

Spinner Shaaiq Choudhry ended the partnership by bowling Marshall for 26.

The 100 came up in the 41st over before Jones and Neoma-Barnett departed in successive overs.

Andrew returned for a third spell and Jones (24) perished to a superb catch diving away to his left by skipper Alex Gidman at first slip to leave Gloucestershire on 128-6.

Without addition to the score, Neoma-Barnett (16) tried to cut Whiteley and only succeeded in steering the ball to Kohler-Cadmore at second slip.

Gidman again showed a safe pair of hands at first slip to hold onto a snick from Fuller (10) off the bowling of Whiteley.

Whiteley then turned catcher at cover as Craig Miles (4) provided Andrew with his third success.

The innings ended when Gidman pouched a chance from Norwell (0) off Whiteley.

Worcestershire came out to bat in their second innings for the final session of the game with Richard Oliver accompanied by Tom Fell.

The pair reeled off a succession of boundaries in bring the half-century stand up in only 7.4 overs.

Oliver was dismissed for 41 and the two teams shook hands with Worcestershire on 80-1 off 12.3 overs with Fell unbeaten on 38.