Worcestershire CCC Assistant Coach Alan Richardson was delighted with the performance of Josh Tongue as he targeted minimising Durham’s first innings advantage in the LV=Insurance County Championship match at New Road.
Durham will resume on day two on 140-4 – a lead of nine runs – but Tongue struck two blows in the final stages of the day.
He was the pick of the Worcestershire bowlers on his return to first-team action with 3-22 from nine overs.
Richardson, who is also Bowling Coach, said: “It was slightly disappointing to be what we considered below par with the bat, and I think they batted with great discipline and made it difficult for us.
“It was nice to pick up a couple of wickets at the end of the day. I thought we deserved that.
“These things happen. It will be disappointing for the boys, but we know we’ve got another innings to get a good score on the board and to keep ourselves in the game.
“I think the boys have got to keep looking forward to that rather than thinking too much about the first innings.
“We’ve got to try and keep them as close to us as possible, not try and force it too much but bowl with discipline and keep showing that patience that we’ve shown throughout the season.”
Tongue picked up seven wickets in the initial clash with Durham at the Emirates Riverside and was again a threat with the ball.
Richardson said: “I thought Josh Tongue was fantastic. I might be a little biased, but I thought he was the stand-out bowler on both sides.
“I thought he bowled beautifully at Durham as well.
“We need to keep chipping away, backing each other up, bowling in partnerships, try and create as much pressure as possible.
“Josh did that, and the guys have got to keep backing him up and work together as a four (quartet).”
Ross Whiteley also picked up a wicket and added a variety to the attack with his left-arm bowling.
Richardson said: “It was nice that Ross picked up a wicket as well. He has got a bit of a golden arm, bowling from that slightly different angle.
“He practices really hard. It is useful for Joe Leach to have Ross to call upon when needed.”
