Surrey’s decision to recruit Harbhajan Singh at the expense of Azhar Mahmood, the Pakistan all-rounder, could prove to be one of the shrewder bits of business this summer. India’s most successful off spinner, who has plenty to prove after being left out of the present touring party, gave his county side hope of forcing a much-needed victory yesterday, with first-innings figures of four for 64 to make Worcestershire follow on.

Blue skies replaced the rain clouds of the first two days and after loosening his shoulders with some extravagant heaves with the willow, Harbhajan was introduced as early as the fourteenth over, fizzing his off breaks into the foot-holes created by the large boots of Doug Bollinger, Worcestershire’s left-armer.

The 27-year-old picked up three of the first six wickets to fall – all eagerly snaffled by close catchers – in a 23-over spell either side of lunch, before switching ends to account for Steven Davies, brilliantly caught by Rikki Clarke at slip for 58.

He was aided by Matt Nicholson, the Australian seam bowler, who knocked over Phil Jaques and Vikram Solanki with late swing in an excellent opening spell and Graeme Hick, who edged to a diving Jonathan Batty shortly after lunch for 30.

Neil Saker was the first Englishman to get in on the act, trimming the off stump of Roger Sillence, but hero turned villain as he grassed straightforward catches at mid-on and deep mid-wicket, which would have given Harbhajan the 31st five-wicket haul of his career. The second chance, off Bollinger when Worcestershire were 214 for nine, looked like jeopardising the follow-on. Chris Schofield spared Saker’s blushes, turning one between bat and pad three runs later.

Delight soon turned to frustration, however, as Worcestershire’s openers, then bad light, thwarted Surrey’s attempts to make second-innings inroads.