Worcestershire went down by nine wickets in the Specsavers County Championship clash with Sussex at New Road despite two fine knocks from Ed Barnard.
Barnard again justified his promotion to number seven in the order by making scores of 65 not out and 46 in the second innings when he was twice struck on the helmet by Chris Jordan and Stuart Whittingham.
His efforts helped Worcestershire to avoid an innings defeat and followed on from him being the pick of his side’s bowlers on the opening day in Sussex’s total of 430.
The ground was drenched after overnight rain and despite a gradual improvement through the morning, no play was possible before lunch, which was taken half-an-hour early at 12.30pm.
Worcestershire resumed their first innings on 231-8 in reply to Sussex’s 430 and made a valiant effort to avoid the follow in thanks to Barnard.
He ended up unbeaten on 65 from 118 balls with one six and six fours with Worcestershire dismissed for 268 – just 13 short of making the visitors bat again.
Josh Tongue and debutant Pat Brown, who helped Barnard add 34 for the final wicket were both caught by keeper and skipper Ben Brown off Chris Jordan and David Wiese respectively.
South Afrian Wiese then made early inroads into Worcestershire’s second innings with 3-18 in 6.5 overs.
Opener Daryl Mitchell (6) had his leg stumped knocked back and Tom Fell (0) was caught at second slip, giving Harry Finch his sixth catch of the match.
Joe Clarke, who top-scored with 77 in the first innings, was bowled by Wiese for 14 at 41-3.
Stuart Whittingham replaced Wiese and in successive overs he removed George Rhodes, who was caught behind, and Brett D’Oliveira, leg-before for 28.
Worcestershire were 66-5 at tea and Jofra Archer picked up three wickets in five balls.
Ben Cox (28) was lbw, skipper Joe Leach (0) was taken at first slip and John Hastings (0) gave a return catch off a leading edge.
Tongue (16) helped Barnard add 44 for the ninth wicket before he was lbw sweeping to Danny Briggs.
Barnard was last having struck two sixes and four fours in his 45 ball knock, caught at long on off Stiaan van Zyl.
Sussex were left needing nine for victory and that man Barnard had time to dismiss Luke Wells (5) before the winning runs were hit.
