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Worcestershire all-rounder Tom Taylor’s career-best bowling performance was a catalyst in forcing his Warwickshire derby rivals to follow suit.
Taylor took five wickets during his deadly spell as the Bears were bowled out for 128 in 42.2 overs in their first innings at Visit Worcestershire New Road.
The 29-year-old finished with figures of 11-2-28-6, surpassing his previous best of 6-47 for Leicestershire against Sussex at Hove in April 2019.
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His morning analysis was 5-6 from five overs.
Taylor added a further run to the tally in Warwickshire’s second innings, taking his championship tally to 23 on just his fifth appearance for the Pears.
Warwickshire followed 179 runs behind and provided tougher opposition with captain Alex Davies and Will Rhodes both making important contributions.
But Matthew Waite and Ethan Brookes, who also both bowled impressively, each took a wicket as the Bears finished on 171-3 after rain interrupted proceedings shortly after tea.
All-rounder Taylor said: “The main thing is we put ourselves in a great position to win the game.
“That’s the main thing.
“We left this morning to put real pressure on a wicket that will do a little more during the first session.
“We wanted to take some wickets early and keep them in the game for as long as possible.”
He added: “We didn’t expect things to go like that but that’s how we felt it was our best chance to win the game and put real pressure on them.
“You have to be patient but hang on for a few more wickets tomorrow and then you have to take that pressure and put it in their dressing room and really try to bring it home.
“For me, it was just one of those days.
“I just wanted to put a little pressure on them and play as well as I could.
“It was a dream start for us and personally it went well and it was nice to get a few wickets and put ourselves in a good position.”
