Worcestershire have FOUR bowlers in the top 15 of the national bowling averages for Division Two of the Specsavers County Championship.
Skipper Joe Leach has rocketed into fifth spot as result of another superb performance in the innings and 42 run success over Derbyshire this week.
The 26-year-old added another nine wickets to the 10 versus Northamptonshire and now has 22 to his name at an average of 14.64.
His wicket tally is only surpassed by Kent all-rounder Darren Stevens who has accumulated 24 victims.
Leach has three five wicket hauls under his belt already this season – 5-60 and 5-62 against Northants and 5-32 at Derby.
Left armer Jack Shantry is just one place behind Leach with six wickets at 15.50 apiece from his two appearances.
He also has the second best economy along with Stevens of the top 15 in conceding just 2.70 runs per over.
Ed Barnard – the County's second highest wicket-taker last summer behind Leach – is placed 12th with nine wickets at 17.89.
He showed his ability with the new ball at the 3aaa County Ground, nipping out the first two wickets in Derbyshire's second innings before Leach took centre stage.
Barnard, in fact, picked up four wickets for no runs at one stage – the final two wickets in Derbyshire's first innings and the first two second time around.
Completing the quarter is Josh Tongue in 15th position with 11 at 18.73.
He has made a positive impact in what is his first taste of senior cricket including 5-45 against Glamorgan and a four-for in the second innings of the win over Northaptonshire.
On the batting front, John Hastings is best placed in 17th with 93 runs at 46.50 followed by Tom Kohler-Cadmore in 25th on 166 runs at 41.50.
Brett D'Oliveira is 43rd – 165 at 33.00 – Barnard 46th – 94 at 31.33 – and Daryl Mitchell 48 – 151 at 30.20 are also placed in the top 50.
