Ed Barnard launches Worcestershire fightback with third ton of campaign

Ed Barnard continued his impressive form with the bat to lead a Worcestershire fightback on the opening day of the LV=Insurance County Championship match with Glamorgan at New Road.

The all-rounder struck his third hundred of the campaign as the home side recovered from 63 for 5 on a seamer friendly pitch also showing early signs of some turn.

Then fit again Worcestershire pace bowler Joe Leach made a treble breakthrough the close in a deadly spell with the new ball.

Warwickshire are reported to have made an approach to their local rivals about the possibility of signing Barnard who is out of contract at the end of the summer. The 26-year-old again showed his quality and was given excellent support by Gareth Roderick in a sixth-wicket stand of 120.

Barnard was promoted to No. 6 mid-way through last season through sheer weight of runs and has more than backed up that move this summer. A reverse sweep off spinner Andrew Salter took him to three figures off 151 balls with his 11th boundary.

Michael Neser and James Harris picked up three wickets apiece for Glamorgan who then lost David Lloyd, nightwatchman James Harris and Colin Ingram to Leach, who had been out since mid May with a back problem.

Only one point separated third-placed Glamorgan and Worcestershire entering the second half of the Championship campaign.

Worcestershire were put into bat on a greenish surface and the Glamorgan new-ball attack of Neser and Michael Hogan quickly exploited the conditions.

Ed Pollock's poor run of form continued when he pushed forward to the first delivery of the game from Neser and lost his middle stump. His opening partner, Jake Libby, has also been short of runs but he was caught behind after a similar shot against Hogan.

Taylor Cornall, playing only his second first-class match, and Azhar Ali, attempted to rebuild the innings. But after adding 40, a further three wickets fell for 15 runs.

Azhar was dropped at second slip off Lloyd but then attempted to glance the same bowler and was caught down the leg side. Worcestershire Club Captain, Brett D'Oliveira has three-first class hundreds under his belt already this summer but he played around a straight ball from Harris.

Cornall needed treatment after being hit on the helmet by a delivery from Neser but he looked an accomplished performer during his time in the middle. But on 25 he tried to work Lloyd away on the on side and became the second batter to be caught by Tom Cullen down the legside.

Barnard twice cover drove Lloyd for boundaries as he and Roderick saw Worcestershire through to lunch at 84 for 5. The sixth-wicket pair mixed determined defence with some attractive stroke-play on the resumption.

Barnard's excellent summer with the bat continued as he completed a 92-ball fifty with seven boundaries. Roderick followed up his defiant last-day knock in the drawn game with Durham at Seat Unique Riverside with another important contribution.

There was just time for the duo to complete a hundred stand before a rain interruption brought about an early tea.

When play resumed, Roderick moved to within four runs of his first half-century for Worcestershire before he was bowled by Harris.

Leach then steered Hogan straight into the hands of backward point and Josh Baker gloved a lifter from Harris to Cullen.

But Barnard continued to attack and a ramp shot brought him a maximum at Harris's expense. He was eventually bowled attempting the same shot against Neser who then had Charlie Morris caught behind to give Cullen his fifth catch.

Leach struck with his third delivery when Lloyd was pouched at first slip. In his second over Harris edged Leach to third slip and Ingram was lbw after working to leg.