County Championship: D'Oliveira & Roderick hold up title-chasing Notts at Worcester

Worcestershire captain Brett D'Oliveira hit his first half century since mid-June

Fit-again Jake Ball took three wickets on his return to action on his first red-ball appearance in 17 months.

But Division Two title chasers Notts were held up by Worcestershire, who batted out the day thanks to a 169-run stand between Gareth Roderick (91 not out) and skipper Brett D'Oliveira (85).

D'Oliveira ended a run of indifferent scores with a first 50 since mid-June.

But, after he became Ball's third victim, Roderick carried on to finish the day on 91, with the Pears on 297-7.

After winning the toss and putting the hosts in, Notts made a great start when four-times capped England paceman Ball struck twice in his first three overs.

Making his first County Championship appearance since the opening game of last season after back trouble, he trapped Ed Pollock leg before wicket, then had Azhar Ali caught behind.

Dane Paterson pinned Jake Libby LBW and had Ed Barnard caught at slip to take him to 50 wickets for the season, either side of Notts skipper Steven Mullaney having Jack Haynes caught behind in his first over to leave the hosts 99-5 at lunch.

But D'Oliveira and Roderick then batted throughout the afternoon session - and well into the evening session - before the new ball worked its charm for Notts.

Ball had D'Oliveira caught edging at a lifter, before Brett Hutton struck five overs later to remove new signing Matthew Waite lbw on his first appearance since bringing forward his move to the Pears from Yorkshire.

Roderick and Josh Tongue (5 not out) then saw out the final six overs before the close.

Nottinghamshire began the week 27 points clear of second-placed Middlesex, needing 10 points from their last two games to be certain of a top-two finish.

Worcestershire play both this season's final two home Championship games at New Road

Worcestershire captain Brett D'Oliveira told BBC Hereford & Worcester:

"I'm extremely pleased to get the team out of a sticky situation. I'd have liked to have gone on. But I'm glad Gareth is still there. He deserves another hundred. He played extremely well.

"They bowled well up front on a helpful wicket. We'd have bowled had we won the toss. The ball moved off the seam but it probably got a bit slower towards the back end.

"We're not ahead in the game at all. They're more than capable of getting those runs, the Nottinghamshire batters. It's about putting the ball in the right areas when we get the opportunity."

Notts and England fast bowler Jake Ball told BBC Radio Nottingham:

"The pitch had a nice bit of zip and I looked to make the most of it and we bowled really well in that first spell. I didn't really want my first wicket to be a drag-on but I'll take it.

"I suppose it's a reward for hard work behind the scenes trying to get fit. It's been a long road to get back out there with the boys.

"Dane Paterson has been incredible. He attacks and looks to bring the stumps into play and has got his rewards in the last couple of years."