Worcestershire on top after Notts slump

A dramatic collapse, which saw Nottinghamshire slump from 73-0 to be all out for 149, typified their recent form and snuffed out any lingering hopes of a late-season push towards the promotion places.

Put in to bat by Graeme Hick, the home side did well to survive an oft-interrupted morning session to reach 52 without loss from 16 overs.

Darren Bicknell and John Morris continued to bat without alarm for the first half an hour after lunch but then both fell to Alamgir Sheriyar - Morris after reaching his 50 and Bicknell for 23.

Morris's departure was swiftly followed by those of Usman Afzaal, first ball, and Paul Johnson, second, as the left arm seamer took three wickets in four balls.

Aussie Greg Blewett made 31 but only Greg Smith of the others reached ten. David Leatherdale swung the ball to good effect to claim three wickets while Andy Bichel and Chris Liptrot were also successful as Worcestershire collected all ten wickets in the period between lunch and tea.

Worcester's reply began in confident fashion, helped by a wayward first over from A J Harris, which yielded ten runs. Phillip Weston and Anurag Singh put on 36 before Greg Smith made the breakthrough.

Weston tried to pull a short-pitched delivery but miscued the ball straight to Richard Logan at point.

Hick joined Singh at the crease and despatched four boundaries before falling to Smith for 17, Afzaal taking the catch with the score on 64.

Vikram Solanki managed only 14 before Smith caught him off the bowling of Harris. At the close Singh was still there on 60 with Worcestershire 130-3, only 19 runs behind Notts' score.