Debutant Ed Barnard believes Worcestershire gained deserved reward for their disciplined bowling during the truncated opening day with a flurry of late wickets against Hampshire at the Ageas Bowl.
The home side reached 88-0 after being put into bat but barely scored above two runs an over before collapsing to 119-4 off 51 overs by the close in the LV = County Championship Division One clash.
Barnard made the opening breakthrough in dismissing Liam Dawson before Jack Shantry (one) and Joe Leach (two) enjoyed further success.
England Under-19 all-rounder Barnard told BBC Hereford-Worcester's Ian Randall: "It was a great last 45 minutes but I think we deserved it for the way we bowled throughout the day.
"I think we were consistent and kept the pressure on them without letting them get away.
"After the first few overs, we realised that it was going to be quite a slow pitch. There wasn't a lot in it for the seamers.
"We just had to sit in and then wait for them to make mistakes and we got those wickets in the end.
"Joe has had an outstanding season and he again showed his class.
"I think 250 on this pitch will probably be a decent score. Hopefully we can keep them under 200. That will be our aim, to get a couple of quick wickets and keep them under 200 if we can.
"If we can get them out under 200, the aim will be to get a big lead and try not to bat again. That will ideal."
Barnard was grateful for the advice he received in the field from Leach, Shantry and Charlie Morris before he broke through via skipper Daryl Mitchell's sharp catch at second slip.
He said: "There were a few nerves jangling about when I got the nod but in the end, it's just another game and you've got to take it day by day.
"I had Jack and Joe and Charlie with me, all three experienced bowlers now and they've done very well this season, so to have them next to me, giving me advice was good.
"The catch from Daryl got quite low in the end. He did well to keep hold of it. I was happy he kept hold of it!
"Obviously I'm the fourth seamer but Daryl gives me plenty of responsibility and allows me to bowl how I want to bowl and to try and be consistent along with the others because they set a great example.
"I was speaking to Jack Shantry a lot about that, and it's about consistently doing things in the right areas and you will get your rewards eventually."
