A fine innings from Graeme Hick on his first start for four weeks was not enough to stop Worcestershire plunging into trouble against Gloucestershire.

The former England star hit 60 from 62 balls on his return from elbow surgery.

But Gloucestershire's under-strength bowling attack took the honours on a rain-curtailed day, reducing Worcestershire to 189-9 by the close.

Anthony Ireland took 2-24 and Will Rudge 3-67 as the hosts ended still 106 runs short of avoiding the follow-on.

The day started badly for the hosts when Daryl Mitchell's elbow was badly bruised by a Rudge bouncer, and his retirement at the end of the fourth over was quickly followed by a flurry of wickets.

Although without their leading pace bowlers, Jon Lewis and Steve Kirby, Gloucestershire's quartet of seamers always had a chance of forcing an error on the two-paced surface.

And only Hick had an answer, striking eight fours and two sixes in his 62-ball knock before he surprisingly fell to Alex Gidman when prodding a catch to short mid-wicket from the acting Gloucestershire captain's fourth ball.