Dillon Pennington celebrated the first two Specsavers County Championship scalps of his career as Worcestershire fought hard with bat and ball on the third day of the clash with Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge.
Ross Whiteley’s fine 76 enabled the final three wickets to add 72 runs today as Worcestershire were bowled out for 287 in their first innings – a deficit of 212.
Nottinghamshire opted not to enforce the follow on and then Pennington enjoyed his moments to saviour as he dismissed captain Chris Nash and Billy Root.
The home side declared on 249-4 after Jake Libby completed a fine unbeaten century.
But then Worcestershire openers Daryl Mitchell and Martin Guptill showed great application under lights to defy the home attack for 19 overs in reaching 43-0.
Mitchell was unbeaten on 19 and Guptill 18 at the close.
Worcestershire resumed on 215-7 and Pennington was lbw to Harry Gurney for a useful 16 with 19 more runs added to the overnight total.
Whiteley pulled a no ball from Stuart Broad for six and raced to his half century off 42 balls with one six and six fours.
He then had to change his bat after pulling Gurney for his second six.
Whiteley was given determined support by Charlie Morris in a partnership of 53 in 14 overs.
The all-rounder’s fine knock was eventually ended on 76 from 71 balls when, after looking to play a cut shot, he was bowled by Nash.
Nash then wrapped up the innings by bowling Steve Magoffin (0) with the total on 287.
After opting not to make Worcestershire follow on, first innings century-maker Nash went back in to open the Nottinghamshire second innings.
But he had made only a single before Pennington struck in trapping him lbw.
Worcestershire keeper Ben Cox went off to have a rib injury assessed and was replaced behind the stumps by Joe Clarke with Academy player Riecko Parker-Cole coming on as 12th man.
He had previously been a member of the Nottinghamshire Academy and attends Worksop College.
Libby and Samit Patel laid the foundations of the Nottinghamshire second innings with a century partnership off 136 balls.
Patel was the dominant partner and had made 71 when he was dismissed by spinner Ben Twohig with Guptill holding onto the chance at cover at 122-2.
Mitchell made a further breakthrough in the next over when New Zealander Ross Taylor, in the final innings of his spell at Trent Bridge, was bowled for a single.
Libby went to his half century off 88 balls and then Pennington came back into the attack and squared up Billy Root who was lbw for 13.
Riki Wessels joined Libby and the pair pressed their foot on the accelerator with Wessels bringing up his 50 off 35 balls.
Immediately after Libby had completed his century out of 249-4 – from 144 balls with six fours – the declaration came about.
But Mitchell and Guptill were up to the task of protecting their wickets for the final portion of the day.
