NEW captain Joe Leach inspired a Worcestershire fightback as 16 wickets tumbled on the opening day of the Specsavers County Championship Division Two match with in-form Northamptonshire at New Road.

New Northants signing Andy Carter produced a three-wicket burst which included Worcestershire top-scorer Moeen Ali (50) as the hosts were bowled out for just 188.

But Leach, in his first home match at the helm since replacing Daryl Mitchell as captain, produced a deadly new-ball spell which yielded four wickets.

It was reminiscent of the form which brought him 65 championship wickets last summer.

When bad light intervened with 25 overs remaining Northants had been reduced to 102-6 with only Ben Duckett (45 not out) offering serious resistance.

Moeen, playing his first championship match for almost a year, and Mitchell dug in against the seamers, adding 62 for the second wicket after the early departure of Brett D'Oliveira (5).

Steven Crook trapped Mitchell lbw for 30 and Tom Fell (5) departed in the same manner to Azharullah.

Moeen greeted Carter's introduction into the attack by planting his first delivery over mid-wicket for six and the England all-rounder went to his half-century off 87 balls.

But then former Nottinghamshire bowler Carter changed the game when he returned after lunch for his second spell.

Moeen (50) went for a drive only to be bowled and four balls later Tom Kohler-Cadmore shouldered arms and suffered the same fate for a duck.

It became three wickets in 11 balls for Carter as Ben Cox (4) nicked a ball of extra bounce through to wicketkeeper Adam Rossington.

Joe Clarke produced flowing drives but Nathan Buck ensured Northants polished off the innings in efficient fashion.

He removed Ed Barnard (1), Leach (20) and Josh Tongue (4) in the space of five overs while Clarke's knock ended at 33 when he fell lbw to Crook.

The wickets continued to tumble when Northants launched their reply with Leach settling into a lengthy opening spell which brought him four wickets.

After Rob Newton (1) went lbw in Leach's first over Duckett decided attack was the best form of defence in an over from overseas player John Hastings which cost 22 runs.

He was aided by Max Holden (13) in a stand of 53 but it was only a brief respite before the bowlers' dominance returned.

Holden drove Barnard to point before Leach took centre stage.

Rob Keogh (1) edged to second slip and Rossington (0) slashed the next delivery to point.

Richard Levi survived the hat-trick ball and a spilled chance by Tongue off Leach but it did not prove costly.

He went lbw for 24 in Leach's next over and his replacement Barnard removed Cobb (7) in the same manner.