WORCESTERSHIRE'S bowling attack left Frizzell County Championship Division Two leaders Essex in serious trouble after the first day of their clash at Southend.

Off-spinner Gareth Batty took 6-71, as the struggling hosts were all out for 197, with John Stephenson top-scoring with 44.

Worcestershire openers Phil Weston and Anurag Singh came through eight overs at the end of the day to finish on 16 without loss. They continued to be watchful today and only seven runs came in the first six overs.

Essex made a dreadful start as opener Darren Robinson was dismissed first ball by seamer Andy Bichel. Then, in the fourth over, County left-arm quickie Alamgir Sheriyar bowled William Jefferson for three to leave Essex on 10-2.

Mark Pettini responded by hitting Bichel for six runs off two balls, but Essex had only reached 24 when he attempted to leave a Bichel delivery, the ball catching the outside edge of his bat and flying to wicketkeeper Steve Rhodes.

Aftab Habib and Andy Flower dug in as Essex moved on to 84, but Batty fooled Habib (38) when he came down the wicket only to miss and see Rhodes remove the bails.

Flower and James Middlebrook then put on 30 for the fifth wicket but their stand was ended when the latter was bowled by Batty for nine.

Flower (41) himself was unable to last much longer, returning to the pavilion having been adjudged lbw off Kabir Ali to leave Essex on 122-6.

The Worcestershire onslaught continued as Ashley Cowan (16), having driven Batty through the covers for four, top-edged the next ball and Graeme Hick took the catch at third slip.

The visitors went for the jugular and Batty had Tim Phillips (3) caught by wicketkeeper Rhodes and bowled Justin Bishop for a duck.

Stephenson provided some late resistance, but with his 50 in sight, Stephenson fell to Batty, leaving Andy Clarke stranded on 11.