Pardoe aids Worcester recovery

Matt Pardoe hit his second first-class half-century as some determined batting from Worcestershire frustrated LV= County Championship title holders Nottinghamshire as they looked to extend their winning start to the season.

Having chosen to bowl after winning the toss, the Notts seamers were kept at bay for an hour by visiting captain Daryl Mitchell (41) before a 93-run sixth-wicket partnership between Gareth Andrew (48) and Pardoe pushed Worcestershire towards a par score.

Pardoe, 20, passed 50 for the second time in his fledgling first-class career as the visitors closed on 253 for seven, with Pardoe unbeaten on 56 having batted for more than three-and-a-half hours, and Damien Wright 32 not out.

Former New Zealand international Andre Adams was once again the most threatening of the Notts attack, picking up four for 57, but the hosts did not help themselves with four dropped catches, including Pardoe on 15 and 35.

With Worcestershire struggling after losing their two opening Championship fixtures, it was no surprise to see Notts captain Chris Read opt to field on a cloudy and cool morning.

But opening bowlers Luke Fletcher and Charlie Shreck failed to make an early breakthrough, with Fletcher in particular over-pitching as he strived to find the outside edge.

Adams was swiftly called on to replace the 22-year-old and accounted for James Cameron when the left-hander drove loosely to be caught by a tumbling Alex Hales at first slip for 25.

Vikram Solanki followed in the next over when an ambitious drive off Shreck went straight to Adam Voges at third slip, and soon after Moeen Ali shouldered arms to Adams and saw his stumps shattered.

Mitchell made it through to lunch without further losses but he and partner Alexei Kervezee were removed in consecutive overs from Adams early in the afternoon session, Mitchell to a defensive edge and Kervezee to a spectacular diving catch down the leg-side from wicketkeeper Read.

With Worcestershire 102 for five, Notts were ready to close in for the kill but dropped both Andrew and Pardoe in the space of nine overs, with Shreck and Fletcher the unlucky bowlers.

The batsmen ground it out in tricky conditions only for Andrew to throw his wicket away as he closed on his eighth first-class 50, cutting a wide long hop from Samit Patel to a leaping Adams at point.

Ben Cox edged Paul Franks to Read but Wright's attacking approach helped see off the new ball, as the Australian put on 43 with Pardoe before the close.