Matt Mason praised the efforts of the Worcestershire attack on day one of the tourist game against Pakistan and says they will only reap the benefits of playing against and picking the brains of international class players.
Pakistan declared on 261-3 from 80 overs but were made to work hard for their runs on a used pitch with Ed Barnard in particular impressing.
Worcestershire openers Daryl Mitchell and Tom Fell safely saw the home side through to 30-0 by the close.
Assistant coach-bowling coach Mason said: "It was really attritional cricket. We started today on a used wicket so it didn't have a huge amount of pace or a lot in it for the bowlers but I thought we stuck at the task really, really well.
"They batted very cautiously but we didn't give them a lot to hit to be fair.
"I thought Ed Barnard's bowling all day was as good as I've seen him bowl. He swung the new ball, he reversed the old ball and had a very good line and length.
"It was great to see Charlie Morris getting a few overs in as well and really good to see George Rhodes get through some overs as a young spinner against some of the best players of spin around.
"I thought he equipped himself really well and was unlucky not to get some reward.
"All in all, pretty happy with the performance and then we started nicely with the bat so all in all a pretty good day.
"It was never a nice time to bat, and it got a little bit gloomy as well against the new ball and two guys who looked fresh running in. Felly and Mitch did a really good job there to see them off."
Barnard finished with 1-30 from 15 overs and his new ball partner Morris 0-19 from 10 overs.
Mason said: "This year has been tough for the bowling group as a whole.They've found life with these flat pitches a lot harder than they have in the past.
"Great to see them finding ways of being effective. This reverse swing is something we've been working on for a long time and it was really good to see Barny and Charlie in particular get the ball to do something a little bit different.
"Going forward that stands us in good stead for the finish of the Championship season as well.
"It is nice for the guys as well to test themselves as well against international class players. It's a good measure of where you are.
"It's also a good opportunity to pick the brains of some of these players. Some of our young academy lads were sat today on the balcony picking the brain of Younus Khan.
"They are the sort of experiences you won't get anywhere else so there is a lot of good stuff that comes out of these tourist matches."
As regards the second day, Mason said: "Our batsman would like to spend some time in the middle.
"We've got as big Championship game coming up against Kent so it is a big opportunity to get some runs on the board and go into that game with confidence."
Worcestershire decided to rest Joe Leach, Ben Cox and Brett D'Oliveira ahead of a busy schedule in the next few days.
Mason said: "Ben and Joe have played every single game in every format so it's only right they got a bit of a rest.
"We haven't got the biggest squad in the world and in an ideal world maybe a couple of others wouldn't have played as well.
"I also think it is important that when you are playing a tourist match, you do put out a strong side.
"We've got to give them the respect they deserve as an international side and also our young guys should experience this sort of cricket.
"They should play against the best in the world so most of them would be happy to be out there playing."
