County Championship: Bowlers rally after Worcestershire collapse

Richard Oliver joined Worcestershire in 2014 after playing for Shropshire

Worcestershire blew the chance of a big first-innings lead over Nottinghamshire before their bowlers hit back with late wickets on day three at Trent Bridge.

After Richard Oliver was dismissed for 99 by Samit Patel, the visitors moved to 207-3, but then fell to 283 all out.

Their cause was not helped after Alex Gidman had to retire after being hit on the helmet by Ben Hilfenhaus (4-67).

Worcestershire then removed Brendan Taylor, Michael Lumb and Alex Hales before Notts reached 115-3 at stumps.

With the hosts holding a lead of just 72 but with seven wickets in hand, both captains will feel they still have a chance of winning the game.

Earlier, Oliver looked certain to reach his third first-class century after batting fluently in the morning session but nicked Samit Patel behind with a tentative push.

Tom Fell helped Worcestershire past 200 after lunch, but the whole momentum of the innings changed when Gidman was struck by the Australian quick bowler.

The former Gloucestershire man suddenly slumped to the ground in Patel's following over before walking off the ground, but was unable to play any further part in the innings.

Gidman's replacement at the crease, teenager Joe Clarke, only lasted six balls before being trapped lbw by Hilfenhaus and Brett Hutton soon removed Ben Cox and Ed Barnard cheaply.

When Fell edged Hutton behind to Chris Read for a well-made 72, Worcestershire were 240-7 and level with Notts' first innings score.

Joe Leach's unbeaten 24 gave the visitors a small lead, but the advantage of 43 was far less than seemed destined at lunch - especially with the hosts having to cope without injured fast bowlers Andy Carter and Luke Fletcher.

Notts' second innings got off to a wobbly start as they were reduced to 69-3, but James Taylor (20 not out) and Riki Wessels (25 not out) saw them through to the close without any further damage.

Notts director of cricket Mick Newell:

"It was a great effort from Andy Carter to bowl. He looks like an Egyptian Mummy under his shirt - he's got that much strapping.

"He was bowling at about 70 per cent, but the fact that he bowled is terrific.

"In fact I thought we showed real fight, throughout the side. We even pulled in our overseas player Dan Christian to field as our 12th man. He was meant to be playing golf, but little things like that show that people do care.

"Whatever happens in the game, we have got two injured bowlers and a batsman (James Taylor) who has injured his hamstring, so we have got eight fit bodies."

Worcestershire director of cricket Steve Rhodes:

"We think Alex (Gidman) is suffering from some concussion, so he's been off the field and feeling a bit drowsy and a little bit sick.

"One minute he's white and the next he's got a bit of colour. It was a bit of a blow around the temple area and we don't want any of our players in any danger. So, the right thing to do was to take him away from the heat of the match and give him some time off.

"It's been a tough day for him because he looked in great nick when he was out there.

"It was a good knock from Richard (Oliver) and had he got that one more run it would have been, something like, his third century in 17 games. That's a good ratio."

Ben Cox's stump is sent flying by Brett Hutton

Samit Patel jumps for joy after dismissing Richard Oliver for 99

Tom Fell on his way to his second Championship fifty of the summer