Batting tough at New Road

Middlesex were bowled out in 66.2 overs after being put into bat, with Charlie Morris and Josh Tongue continuing their impressive starts to the season.

Morris, the leading wicket-taker in Division Two, picked up three more scalps to take his tally to 23 and Tongue also added a further trio of wickets to lift his total to 15.

Only Middlesex skipper Dawid Malan (45), who had recovered from a groin injury suffered on England duty earlier in the month, and keeper John Simpson (35) batted with much authority.

But Tom Helm bowled a fine new ball spell for Middlesex which brought him two wickets and then Callum Ferguson fell just before the close for an aggressive 37 and Worcestershire restarted today on 64-3 from 27 overs.

Tom Fell remained defiant and was unbeaten on 18 from 86 balls by the close.