Worcestershire CCC will be looking to bat through the final two sessions to maintain their unbeaten record after being asked to follow on in the LV=Insurance County Championship match with Essex at New Road.
The County extended their first innings total to 364 in 138.1 overs in reply to Essex’s 561-8 declared and went in to bat again 10 minutes before lunch.
Openers Daryl Mitchell and Jake Libby negotiated three overs from Sam Cook and Simon Harmer in reaching 6-0.
Worcestershire resumed this morning on 302-5 after securing three batting bonus points thanks to sizeable contributions from Jake Libby, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Fell and Brett D’Oliveira.
Riki Wessels, who was unbeaten on 24 overnight, on-drove Sam Cook for the first boundary of the day but then survived a difficult chance at mid-wicket off Shane Snater.
He added 54 in 23.2 overs with Ben Cox before attempting to cut Cook and chopping the ball onto his stumps when on 33.
Cox, who started the day on 23 not out, went on the offensive against Snater and struck him for three successive boundaries – two down to fine leg and a cover drive.
The wicket-keeper batsman had advanced to 37 when he pushed forward and was bowled through the gate by Cook.
Alzarri Joseph (0) became Cook’s third victim of the day within 16 deliveries when he was lbw, and Ed Barnard (1) was bowled by a Simon Harmer delivery that turned sharply.
The last Worcestershire pair of Dillon Pennington and Charlie Morris then provided stiff resistance and used up valuable time and overs.
Pennington pulled Dan Lawrence for six over mid-wicket, and he and Morris added 38 in 15 overs.
Lawrence broke the partnership when Pennington (30) went for another pull and was bowled to leave Morris unbeaten on eight.
