FIFTEEN wickets fell on day one as Worcestershire seized control of their County Championship clash at Lancashire.

The hosts' batting left them in a hole after Tom Bailey took 4-41 to help bowl Worcestershire out for 222.

By the close the total was looking much healthier as Josh Tongue claimed 3-36 and instigated a run out to leave Lancashire on 95-5.

The home side began bottom of Division One, six points adrift of the visitors having played a game more.

Eyebrows were raised when the County chose to bat under cloudy skies and their highest partnership was just 41 as the seamers exploited movement from the Southport pitch.

Toby Lester got the opening wicket and when Jordan Clark had Joe Clarke caught behind on lunch the County had lost four wickets for 98, including a poor run out of Alex Milton for a duck.

Bailey's prize scalp was Brett D’Oliveira after the captain scored 65 with nine fours and the right balance of patience and positivity to take his side past 150.

His exit was followed by Wayne Parnell before Lancashire wrapped up the innings shortly after tea.

But in reply Tongue had Haseeb Hameed caught in the slips for a first-ball duck and five balls later he sent Rob Jones on his way without scoring and just four on the board.

Steven Croft fell to Parnell for 14 before Alex Davies and Dane Vilas shared a 50 partnership from just 55 balls.

But in another Tongue over Vilas’ departure was unlucky after Davies drilled a straight drive which the bowler deflected onto the stumps to run the South African out for 18.

Two balls later he trapped Davies for 47, leaving Lancashire on 85-5 and in heaps of trouble.