[Ska'dForLife-WBA]

Day Three

Morning: On a warm Sunday, the early inroads that were needed just didn't come, as Worcestershire paid dearly in runs for every wicket taken. Dan Lawrence in particular was able to make 71 before his dismissal, while Foster and Harmer put on nearly half a century between them. Josh Tongue proved the most effective threat for the home side, taking five-fer.

Afternoon: At length, Essex were all out for 275, setting the Pears a total of 215 to win. Immediately, the new ball went right against the Worcestershire top order in a way it didn't against Essex, and before long the home side were 68-4 and staring defeat in the face.

Evening: With the game almost gone, a strong sixth-wicket partnership between Travis Head and Ed Barnard steadily swung the pendulum in Worcestershire's favour until the Pears were within 55 runs of victory with five wickets still standing. Unfortunately, some tight Essex bowling caused the runs to dry up, and with more than a hint of desperation, batsmen starting hitting out in an effort to get over the line. The tail went for just 22 runs, condemning Worcestershire to yet another defeat they could ill-afford.

Worcestershire LOSE by thirty-two runs

The Verdict: Pretty heartbreaking stuff for the Pears, who - with over a month now till their next Championship match - have plenty of time to ponder how they slid from a first-innings lead of sixty-one runs to a defeat of thirty-two. Some of it may be down to spells of lax bowling, some of it to fragility at the crease, some of it to pure bad luck, of which there's no shortage around New Road right now. One can question whether Travis Head might have shown a bit more attacking intent in the second innings when Worcs started to lose momentum, but if he'd done that and got himself out then the finger would be pointed at him all the more. The frustrating ifs, buts and maybes of a narrow defeat are writ large over this result.

There's nothing the Pears can do but focus on the One-Day Cup as a way to get some wins and confidence under the belt, then go again in June.