Worcestershire showed grit and determination on day three at Ambassador Cruise Line Ground, Chelmsford, battling hard in pursuit of what would be a memorable final-day run chase against Essex in the Rothesay County Championship.
Chasing 295 to win across five sessions, Worcestershire closed on 185-6, still 110 runs away from their target, but with time, wickets and belief still in play. As the light faded late in the day, so too did Essex’s momentum, with Worcestershire’s middle order refusing to fold under pressure.
The day began with Essex adding 84 to their overnight total, with a mixture of patience and late-innings aggression. Noah Thain reached a maiden first-class half-century before being undone by Ethan Brookes, while Shane Snater threw the bat to good effect with a 53-ball 48 that helped stretch the lead.
Despite that lower-order resistance, Worcestershire’s bowlers continued to take wickets at key moments. Tom Taylor picked up three, including a double strike with the second new ball, while Brookes and Duffy also chipped in.
In reply, the start wasn’t ideal. Gareth Roderick was trapped lbw to the second ball of the innings, and Essex’s seamers enjoyed a helpful cloud cover spell that saw Jake Libby and Rob Jones depart in quick succession.
But from 32-3, Worcestershire found their fight. Kashif Ali and Adam Hose added 46 stylish runs, both playing fluently and looking largely untroubled. Hose’s innings of 21 included a number of crisp boundaries before Thain ended his stay.
Kashif continued with intent, threading the off-side with grace and control. He reached a deserved half-century and survived being bowled by a no-ball before becoming Simon Harmer’s solitary scalp, a fine gloved catch at slip ending an elegant innings.
Even then, Worcestershire refused to go quietly. Brett D’Oliveira and Matthew Waite dug in for a 44-run partnership, with D’Oliveira particularly assertive. He timed the ball beautifully through the off-side and played the short ball with authority before falling to a well-held chance at slip.
Waite (27*) remains unbeaten alongside Brookes (17*) with the Pears set to resume the final day needing a further 110 runs with four wickets in hand, Worcestershire will believe they are very much in the hunt.
