Worcestershire's Tom Taylor delivered a sensational performance, claiming a career-best 6-28, as Warwickshire crumbled in their first innings of the Vitality County Championship Division One match, forcing them to follow on.
Warwickshire, starting the day at 112-4, were bowled out for 128 after a devastating morning session, with Taylor at the forefront. Despite the collapse, the Bears recovered in their second innings and finished day three at 171-3, still trailing Worcestershire by eight runs. Will Rhodes (72) and captain Alex Davies (65) played vital knocks to stabilise the innings after a chaotic start.
The match appears to be heading toward a rain-affected draw, similar to their previous encounter earlier in the season. However, Taylor’s incredible bowling brought the game to life. Resuming with six wickets in hand and 195 runs behind, Warwickshire didn’t anticipate the havoc to come. Bowling from the Diglis End, Taylor struck with just his second delivery, dismissing Hamza Shaikh, followed by Michael Burgess, caught at second slip in his next over.
Taylor’s onslaught continued as he trapped Danny Briggs lbw and bowled Michael Rae in successive deliveries. Taking four wickets in just 13 balls, he secured his first five-wicket haul for Worcestershire. He completed his remarkable spell by removing Olly Hannon-Dalby for his sixth wicket, setting new career-best bowling figures.
With 30 runs still needed to avoid the follow-on, former Worcestershire all-rounder Ed Barnard attempted to hit his team out of trouble but was caught by Worcestershire captain Brett D'Oliveira at mid-wicket.
In their second innings, Warwickshire stumbled again as Rob Yates was removed early by Logan van Beek, but Rhodes and Davies rebuilt the innings. Although Davies eventually fell to former teammate Ethan Brookes for the second time in the match, Warwickshire finished the day in a much stronger position than they could have anticipated.
As the final day approaches, Warwickshire will hope to build on their recovery and salvage a result from a challenging situation.