COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISION TWO, New Road:
CLOSE OF PLAY, DAY TWO: Worcestershire 175 & 168-4, Leicestershire 309
Worcs 4pts, Leics 6pts
Match scorecard

Opener Mitchell led Worcestershire's fight-back with an unbeaten 63

Captain Daryl Mitchell and James Cameron put on an unbeaten fifth-wicket stand of 109 as Worcestershire fought back against Leicestershire on day two.

Resuming on 163-3, Leicestershire built up a 134-run advantage over the hosts, ending on 309 all out.

Tom New (54) led the Foxes' charge before being bowled by Richard Jones.

But Mitchell (63 no) and Cameron (62 no) rescued the hosts from an innings defeat as they closed on 168-4, a lead of 34, Nathan Buck taking 3-26.

Worcestershire had still been 75 behind when their fourth wicket fell but Mitchell and Cameron's fightback wiped out that deficit.

Overseas player Phil Jacques disappointed for the hosts in his final game before being replaced by Shakib Al-Hasan, as he suffered his sixth duck in 15 first-class innings after nicking Buckl to slip.

Leicestershire will hope they are not made to rue several mistakes in the field with Mitchell being dropped three times in the slips.

BBC Hereford & Worcester's Dave Bradley reflects on day two at New Road:
"It was a gutsy fightback from Worcestershire, although Leicestershire's dropped catches might well cost them in the end.

"Cameron, in only his second County Championship game, was happy to take the fight to the Foxes with two big sixes, and Mitchell played the captain's role.

"But both will have to bat a lot longer in the morning to give the home side a scent of victory.

"Tom New grafted for his runs in the Leicestershire innings and got some support down the order, and although Gareth Andrew came on to nip out the tail, the veteran Matt Mason was again the pick of the Worcestershire bowlers, with Richard Jones seeming to have lost half a yard of pace from his early-season form.

"Leicestershire will still be odds on to win it, but at least the game has gone into the third day, which at one time didn't seem likely."

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