Glam need to strike early in bid for victory
PACEMAN Charlie Morris and openers Hamish Rutherford and Daryl Mitchell have left Worcestershire dreaming of a first Specsavers County Championship win for four months after a day of dominance against Glamorgan at Blackfinch New Road.
Paceman Morris earned Worcestershire a narrow first innings lead with his third five wicket haul of the season.
Morris finished with figures of 5-73 from 17.5 overs as the visitors were dismissed for 193 in 65.5 overs to give Worcestershire a 12-run advantage.
Rutherford then raced to a 51-ball half century and, with Mitchell digging in for an unbeaten 52, Worcestershire closed day two on 153-2.
Glamorgan will be hoping to make significant inroads this morning otherwise they could be facing a major fourth innings target on a wicket still offering some assistance to the bowlers.
Morris struck in successive overs after Glamorgan resumed on 44-2 when West Indian opener Kraigg Brathwaite (19) was caught behind and Billy Root (8) drove a wide delivery to cover.
Samit Patel (5), on loan from Nottinghamshire, pulled a short ball from Adam Finch straight to deep backward square.
Moeen Ali held onto a sharp head-high return catch offered by David Lloyd (35), while captain Chris Cooke (24) fell victim to a low first slip catch by Riki Wessels off Joe Leach.
Morris returned after lunch to bowl Ruaidhri Smith (18) and completed his five-for by having Michael Hogan (15) caught at deep fine leg while, in between, Lukas Carey (16) drilled Moeen straight to cover.
Rutherford (52) ensured Worcestershire built on their narrow first-innings advantage in quickfire fashion.
He reeled off a series of impressive drives and raced to a 51-ball half century with nine boundaries out of an opening stand of 70 with Mitchell.
The New Zealander eventually edged Smith to second slip, but Moeen Ali kept the momentum going for the home side.
He swept Patel for four and twice coverdrove Smith to the ropes as the Worcestershire 100 came up in the 26th over.
But, after making 26, the England all-rounder aimed a big shot through mid-wicket off Patel and holed out to Hogan at mid-off.
Mitchell completed his first half-century since an unbeaten 64 against Glamorgan at Cardiff in early July shortly before the close with a four off Smith.
Jack Haynes was unbeaten on 22 at the close after surviving an early chance.