WORCESTERSHIRE are facing another marathon final day bowling effort to claim victory against Leicestershire, as they bid to stretch their lead at the top of the County Championship Division Two table.
Teenager Tom Kohler-Cadmore made a superb 99 and fifties from Alexei Kervezee and Joe Leach had also helped put Daryl Mitchell’s side in control at New Road as the visitors looked set to be facing a huge chase as Worcestershire reached 348-8 at tea – a lead of 389.
After resuming day three on 48-2, Richard Oliver was dismissed with just the fifth ball of the day for 37 as he was clean bowled by Nathan Buck.
Kervezee and 19-year-old Kohler-Cadmore then launched a terrific counter-attack as they shared a fourth-wicket partnership of 131 before the former Netherlands international was caught by Josh Cobb off the bowling of Charlie Shreck.
Ben Cox soon fell for just one, but Leach then started to launch the bowlers to all corners of the ground after he joined Kohler-Cadmore.
After launching two successive sixes to move onto 99, Kohler-Cadmore missed a straight one from Dan Redfern and was bowled.
Leach continued to attack but was eventually dismissed after making 74 off just 64 balls, an innings which contained ten fours and three sixes.
If Worcestershire do manage to bowl out Leicestershire tomorrow (Wednesday), remarkably it will be the sixth time they have won in that manner this season – all of their victories.
Three drawn games against Hampshire, Surrey and Glamorgan have also seen Steve Rhodes’ men pushing for wickets on the last day.
Worcestershire’s final day victories this season:
April 13-16
Worcestershire 240 & 270
Kent 229 & 140
Worcestershire won by 125 runs
April 27-30
Worcestershire 432-9
Derbyshire 219 & 149
Worcestershire won by an innings and 64 runs
May 18-21
Worcestershire 291 & 120
Essex 203 & 136
Worcestershire won by 72 runs
June 15-18
Leicestershire 278 & 169
Worcestershire 237 & 444-8
Worcestershire won by 234 runs
June 29-July 2
Worcestershire 352 & 299-7
Glamorgan 297 & 105
Worcestershire won by 249 runs