Kabir Ali spearheaded a tremendous Worcestershire fightback after a disappointing batting display against Essex at New Road.

Ali grabbed 3-21 to help reduce the shell-shocked visitors to 80-7 off 21 overs in reply to his side's 176.

Danish Kaneria (3-20), Tony Palladino (3-45) and Alex Tudor (3-46) did the damage for Essex.

But Essex found batting difficult on a hectic wicket-tumbling day where seven batsmen were out to lbw decisions.

Worcestershire, who won the toss, quickly found themselves in the firing line and were dismissed in 70 overs.

But Essex's hopes of building on their fine bowling efforts quickly evaporated when they lost half their side for a meagre 39, inside 12 overs.