WORCESTERSHIRE have spent the second session of the day defiantly thwarting the Australian bowling attack.

The Baggy Greens declared early on having reached 396-4, but the home side have batted solidly to reach 156-2 at tea.

Somerset’s England candidate Nick Compton, who is playing for Worcester in a bid to enhance his Ashes chances, has looked impressive so far in making an unbeaten 71.

However, it is County skipper Daryl Mitchell who has been leading the way, as he has taken all-rounder James Faulkner for six boundaries in the space of nine balls to move on to a 45-ball 48 not out, featuring no less than 10 fours.

Earlier, Matt Pardoe played a cut shot at a wide one from Faulkner and found the safe hands of Phil Hughes at fourth slip for 16, while Moeen Ali was caught low down at slip by Michael Clarke off Ashton Agar for 10.

 

FORMER Worcestershire overseas player Steve Smith was in no mood for hanging around as Australia motored to a declaration score on the first morning of day two of the tour game at New Road.

The leg break-bowling all-rounder monopolised the scoring 47 of the 56 runs the tourists added to their overnight 340-4, before declaring on 396-4 at the drinks break.

That gave Nick Compton, who is guesting for the hosts in this game, the chance to push his Ashes claims by opening the innings with Matt Pardoe, who hit his maiden First-Class century last time out against Glamorgan.

The duo successfully negotiated the hour until the lunch interval, leading Worcestershire to 36-0 with Compton on 21 not out and Pardoe unbeaten on 15.