Matt Mason praised a "terrific effort" by the Worcestershire bowlers – and in particular "run-miser" Jack Shantry on day two of the Specsavers County Championship clash with Sussex at New Road.
Worcestershire first of all secured maximum batting points for the fourth successive game in reaching 491 all out thanks to contributions from Ross Whiteley (71), Tom Kohler-Cadmore (51), Ben Cox (30) and Joe Leach (26) today.
Then their attack hit back after Sussex had reached 58-0 in reducing their opponents to 192-6 from 70 overs by the close – still 299 in arrears.
Bowling coach-assistant coach Mason said: "I thought it was a terrific effort by the bowlers on that wicket because it is a good pitch. I thought we applied ourselves really well.
"We hung in there after they initially got away from us Bwith that new ball. They scored freely for a little while there.
"But I thought the partnership between Shants (Jack Shantry) and Barny (Ed Barnard) in particular pegged the scoring rate back and created those opportunities we took later in the day.
"To have them six wickets down at the end of play, having posted a pretty good score this morning, we couldn't be more happy really.
"Shants just does what he does best. He is unbelievable. No matter what the surface, the conditions or the situation of the game, he comes on and is an absolute run-miser and does a great job for us, often unheralded work.
"But if he doesn't get the rewards, often the guy at the other end does and that's all we can ask for."
Mason expects Worcestershire to enforce the follow on if they can wrap up the Sussex innings and believes spinner Brett D'Oliveira could become a key figure.
He said: "There is a little bit of spin there for Brett as well so if we can get those last four wickets quickly, Brett will have a lot more to do – as can Alexei kervezee who can also bowl some useful spin.
"But we've got to look after the seamers. They are going to have a big job ahead becuase if we can knock over these last four wickets quickly, I've no doubt we will stick them back in and have a good go at pushing them over."
