Worcestershire were unable to take the eight-wickets required on the final day at Edgbaston, as Warwickshire batted through the day to chase 393, as Worcestershire were only able to collect five points from a previously promising position in the match.
After taking two wickets late on day three, the Pears headed into the final day requiring eight-wickets to record a famous and vital win in their bid for Division One Rothesay County Championship survival.
Unfortunately for the visitors, on a wicket that flattened out, they could only take three additional wickets across the day, as Warwickshire batted with confidence to chase down 393 in 93.2 overs.
The defeat comes as a crushing blow to Worcestershire, who had their sights set on a famous win after three excellent days across all facets had put them in pole position to secure victory.
Worcestershire resumed on the final morning with their opponents 55 for two, with the most batter friendly conditions of the match so far settling in over Edgbaston.
Dan Mousley and Zen Malik applied themselves diligently to deny the visitors early impetus from a wicket, as Worcestershire’s seam attack were unable to prosper in a more challenging bowling environment.
The star of the first innings, Khurram Shahzad, tested the batters regularly, but the pair batted with concentration and applied themselves well as they settled into their groove.
Mousley, reached 50 from 89 balls, with Tom Taylor and Ben Allison continuing to probe away for the visitors as the morning progressed.
Loan-signing Bertie Foreman (1-80) made the opening breakthrough of the day, when Mousley top-edged a reverse sweep to Jake Libby at short third-man, providing the visitors with a vital surge of optimism.
Malik chugged on with concentration while Webster restrained his attacking instincts to launch another productive partnership, as Worcestershire were unable to break the pair’s resistance to add 160 for the fourth-wicket, with Malik bringing up his century in the process.
With 107 still required, Ethan Brookes forced a miscue from Malik, as Tom Taylor took a well judged catch to leave the visitors six-wickets away from a now unlikely win.
Adam Finch and Ben Allison both bowled tirelessly in search of another quick breakthrough, but it wasn’t to come until the first over with the new ball, with Warwickshire now at 312, when Ed Barnard edged Tom Taylor behind late in the afternoon.
Worcestershire had to strike, and fast, but with momentum behind the hosts, taking five more wickets to keep any realistic Division One status hopes alive, the odds were stacked against the Pears.
Kai Smith joined the now in and set Beau Webster, as they worked the ball around the outfield to add an unbroken 84 in 11.2 overs.
With Brookes and Khurram both stand-outs in a remarkable opening three days play for the visitors, there was now a looming likeliness that their outstanding individual efforts would be in vein, as Warwickshire continued to grind down the bowlers on a lifeless wicket, pushing the visitors out of the contest.
Defeat was confirmed late in the day, with Worcestershire’s desolation visible across the playing and coaching staff, having played in almost perfect fashion for three days, but forced to leave the outfield with dreams of a memorable Division One win shattered.
The Pears will now take stock, as they face a short-turnaround before welcoming Hampshire to Visit Worcestershire New Road on Tuesday, looking to cling on to any hopes of survival in the top tier of the Rothesay County Championship.
