Mervyn King, the Governor of the Bank of England, visited New Road and brought weather as gloomy as his economic prognosis. In prime seaming conditions, Worcestershire slumped towards the follow-on, despite Graeme Hick’s 60 from 62 balls, losing nine wickets in 49 overs. Daryl Mitchell retired after a blow on the elbow, but returned with severe bruising to forestall the inevitable.

Gloucestershire: First Innings 444 (C G Taylor 137, S D Snell 127, M A Hardinges 82; S P Jones 5 for 92)

Worcestershire: First Innings

D K H Mitchell not out 1

S C Moore c Snell b Hardinges 14

*V S Solanki c Hardinges b Rudge 4

B F Smith c Taylor b Ireland 16

G A Hick c North b Gidman 60

†S M Davies b Hardinges 32

G J Batty lbw b Gidman 16

G M Andrew c Hodnett b Rudge 13

S J Magoffin c Snell b Rudge 16

R A Jones c Taylor b Ireland 2

S P Jones not out 4

Extras (b 5, lb 1, w 3, nb 2) 11

Total (9 wkts, 49 overs) 189

Fall of wickets: 1-15, 2-32, 3-52, 4-116, 5-140, 6-150, 7-177, 8-184, 9-184.

Bowling: Ireland 14-7-24-2; Rudge 12-1-67-3; Hardinges 10-3-41-2; Gitsham 3-0-7-0; Gidman 8-1-36-2; Marshall 2-0-8-0.

Umpires: G I Burgess and G Sharp.