Mitchell's Double-Century sees Worcestershire On-Top

An incredible double-century from Daryl Mitchell (206*) saw Worcestershire gain the upper-hand over Hampshire on day two of the LV=County Championship match at New Road.

The right-hander continued his fine form from yesterday to record his highest score of the season so far to steer Worcestershire to 478 in their first-innings effort.

A flurry of Hampshire wickets in the evening session then saw them reduced to 86-3 at the close, still trailing by 392 runs.

Worcestershire began the day in confident fashion as the opening 45 minutes passed with the overnight batsman looking untroubled early on – the unflappable Mitchell continuing to add to his total throughout the morning session.

However a brief rain break proved to work in Hampshire’s favour, as Brad Wheal (2-99) struck immediately after the restart to dismiss Ben Cox (23) who was clean-bowled for the first scalp of the day.

Despite the loss of Cox, Mitchell remained undeterred and Worcestershire reached lunch without further loss as they added 86 for the loss of just one wicket in the rain-affected morning session.

Following the interval, Worcestershire again started well with Mitchell reaching his 150 with Joe Leach (59) also bringing up his impressive fifty shortly after the break – the landmark also seeing the partnership between the pair surpass 100.

Leach was quick to depart following his fifty as Danny Briggs struck to dismiss him but with the score heading beyond 400, Worcestershire looked to have seized full control, particularly with their skipper still at the crease.

He successfully guided his side past 400, and despite the loss of Jack Shantry (21), the captain received enough support from Saeed Ajmal(16) to reach a superb double-century and steer Worcestershire to 450-8.

The final two wickets fell for the addition of 28 runs just before tea, with Jackson Bird (4-146) picking up his fourth wicket of the innings, however the undefeated Mitchell will have been delighted at the home-side’s recovery having initially slumped to 28-3 in yesterday’s opening day.

With an imposing total on the board, Hampshire had their work cut-out and the loss of Sean Terry (0) from just the fourth delivery made things much harder for the visitors.

Fellow opener Jimmy Adams (20) showed promise but will have been disappointed not to kick-on as he too fell early, with Leach trapping him LBW and leaving Hampshire troubled at 40-2.

Michael Carberry looked composed at the crease, and along with James Vince (29*) the duo looked to consolidate after the early loss of both openers. They looked to have seen Hampshire to the close unscathed until, with just less than 10 overs remaining in the day, Carberry fell to the spin of Saeed Ajmal (1-1) to mark the loss of the away-side’s third wicket.

Vince and the cautious Will Smith (1*) were the men unbeaten at the close, but the late loss of Carberry, who had looked in good touch, caps off an excellent day for Worcestershire.

Words: Will Brewster