GLENN McGrath made a quick-fire breakthrough when promotion-chasing Worcestershire launched their make-or-break County Championship Division Two match with champions Northamptonshire at New Road today.

The Australian pace star struck with his second delivery to remove Adrian Rollins for a 'duck' and then accounted for Jeff Cook for nine.

It lifted magical McGrath's haul of championship wickets this season to 66.

Paceman Stuart Lampitt followed up later to dismiss Alec Swann for 19 and Mark Powell for one to reduce Northants to 58 for 4 after 15 overs.

Rollins fell victim to a catch at short leg by Matthew Rawnsley while Cook had his leg stump knocked out of the ground.

Swan's reign ended when he played no stroke and was trapped leg before. Earlier, he had been dropped at first slip by Paul Pollard off McGrath.

Following Powell's departure, Russell Warren was joined at the crease by Tony Penberthy in a bid to repair the damage.

Lampitt's successful introduction to the attack followed a wayward spell by rookie Chris Liptrott who bowled four overs for 29 runs. He sent down five wides and two no balls.

Worcestershire won the toss going into the match six points adrift of the top three promotion places and hoping to avenge their innings and 72-run defeat at Northampton last month.

Worcs: PR Pollard, EJ Wilson, VS Solanki, DA Leatherdale, RC Driver, DJ Pipe, SJ Rhodes, FR Lampitt, MJ Rawnsley, C G Liptrot, GD McGrath.

Northants: AJ Swann, AS Rollins, JW Cook, MJ Powell, RJ Warren, AL Penberthy, GP Swann, KJ Innes, TMB Bailey, JP Taylor, DM Cousins.

Umpires: V Holder, J Steele.