Sussex set stiff target by Worcestershire

Moeen Ali hit a half-century to help Worcestershire set Sussex 337 to win on day three at Horsham.

The left-hander top scored with 68 for the visitors, and received good support at the top of the order from Matthew Pardoe (42) and Vikram Solanki (31).

Alan Richardson (41) was last out to Monty Panesar (4-104) but not before he had shared a valuable 56 for the last wicket with Ben Scott (36 not out).

Saeed Ajmal then bowled Joe Gatting as Sussex closed on 17-1.

With a dry pitch offering assistance to the spinners, Worcestershire will be hopeful of wrapping up a victory that will boost their chances of avoiding relegation.

And if they do they will be grateful to Scott, and especially 36-year-old Richardson, who hit six fours and two sixes in his 41 from 31 balls.

Sussex enjoyed a good start to the day, with James Anyon forcing Daryl Mitchell to play on in the first over, but they then only had one more success before lunch when Panesar trapped Solanki leg before.

Pardoe fell when he drove loosely at Panesar and was caught at mid-on, but although wickets continued to fall at the other end, Ali played fluently, striking six fours and two sixes.

The late flurry from Scott and Richardson helped Worcestershire seize the initiative, which was further reinforced when Ajmal spun one sharply into Gatting and knocked back his leg stump.