Van Buuren goes big before declaration opens up contest

Worcestershire 439 and 151 for 5 (Mitchell 55) lead Gloucestershire 364 for 6 dec (van Buuren 172*, Miles 60*, Roderick 60) by 226 runs
Scorecard

Gloucestershire breathed life back into a match which appeared to be heading towards stalemate by declaring 75 runs behind on day three of the Specsavers County Championship clash at New Road.

The visitors caused a surprise by pulling out at lunch on 364 for 6 after century-maker Graeme van Buuren and Craig Miles had figured in an unbroken partnership of 134 in 33.1 overs.

Worcestershire then scored a four an over with skipper Daryl Mitchell making a return to form with a 57-ball half century.

But wickets fell at regular intervals and when rain halted proceedings with 24 overs remaining, Worcestershire had reached 151 for 5 - a lead of 226.

Worcestershire still harboured hopes at the start of the day of enforcing the follow on with Gloucestershire resuming on 226 for 5 - still requiring a further 64 to avoid that possibility.

Spinner Brett D'Oliveira struck an early blow to trap Jack Taylor lbw in the first over of the morning. The second new ball was taken after three overs but Van Buuren, who yesterday completed his maiden Championship century, and Miles were untroubled in their partnership and scored freely.

Van Buuren square cut Charlie Morris for four to bring up his 150 and Miles repeated the stroke at Ed Barnard's expense to go to his half century - only the third of his career. Van Buuren continued on from his overnight 104 to make an unbeaten 172 from 307 balls with 21 fours while Miles was unbeaten on 60, two short of his career best.

Worcestershire looked to build on their lead but their progress was checked by Liam Norwell during a lively opening spell. He trapped D'Oliveira lbw on the back foot and then dislodged Joe Clarke's leg bail before he had scored after he had looked to work the ball through midwicket.

Worcestershire skipper Daryl Mitchell responded by finding his touch with a fluent 57-ball half century before flicking Miles straight to Hamish Marshall at square leg.

Gloucestershire struck two more blows after tea as first innings century-maker Tom Kohler-Cadmore shouldered arms and was bowled to give Norwell his third success. Alexei Kervezee had two escapes on five and 15 but after making 39 holed out to Jack Taylor at mid-on as Gloucestershire employed spin at both ends in the gloomy light. But the heavens opened shortly afterwards with the game evenly poised.