Wickets tumble at Worcestershire v Lancashire

Cameron and Ben Scott put on an unbeaten seventh-wicket stand of 90

James Cameron hit an unbeaten half-century for Worcestershire as 16 wickets were lost on day one of their match with title-chasing Lancashire.

The visitors were dismissed for 161 with tailender Kyle Hogg hitting 46 off just 43 balls.

Cameron hit a steady unbeaten 87 off 172 balls while Ben Scott made 45 as Worcestershire closed on 209-6.

The England & Wales Cricket Board will monitor the New Road pitch due to the large number of wickets.

ECB pitch liason officer Jack Birkenshaw said he was "happy" with the surface.

Having won the toss, Lancashire struggled to 113-9 before Hogg helped the visitors pass the 150-mark in an innings which saw him hit two sixes and five fours.

Worcestershire pacemen Kemar Roach, who was making his New Road debut, and Gareth Andrew claimed three wickets apiece to ensure Lancashire missed out on valuable batting bonus points.

Andrew's haul came in the space of four devastating balls in just his second over.

The hosts also struggled with the bat, reaching 77-5 off 25.5 overs before Cameron and Scott put on an unbeaten partnership of 90 to give them a lead of 48.

CLOSE OF PLAY SUMMARY

BBC 5 live's Kevin Howells:

"As Yorkshire looked to be staging a relegation fightback in Birmingham I had a feeling that Worcestershire would be slipping up as Lancashire struggled with the bat and some uneven bounce.

"I expected their bowlers to repeat that of the opposition and in truth the only difference was the batting of James Cameron, who should have been caught on 86 but otherwise batted beautifully.

"So with Hampshire going well in Taunton and Yorkshire collapsing, top and bottom is no clearer."

BBC Radio Lancashire's Liam Bradford:

"If anyone needed a reason to watch County Championship cricket they saw it today at New Road. Batting collapses, explosive tail-end innings, partnerships and wickets, 16 to be precise, and every last one of them was a beauty.

"As to who holds the advantage in this game, you'd have to say Worcestershire. They bowled brilliantly and batted resolutely, but don't put anything past a Lancashire side vying for their first Championship title for 77 years.

"If Lancashire can get the wickets they need early on the second day, and bat with purpose, they could set Worcestershire a total of over 150 to win the game.

"That is not an easy chase with the new ball playing up and the pitch offering plenty to the seamers. Too many more rough spots and the spinners will enter the game too. Plenty more cricket to come here. Worcestershire have the advantage. Just."