Bears left with daunting target on the final day

ETHAN Brookes climbed into Warwickshire's bowlers again, in record-breaking fashion, to keep Worcestershire on course for a vital Rothesay County Championship victory at Edgbaston.

- By BRIAN HALFORD

Of his side's second innings total of 243, Brookes' share was a violent 87 from 137 balls.

He struck seven sixes which, added to his eight in the first innings, amounted to 15 in the match - a record for any individual at Edgbaston, surpassing the 12 by Ian Botham for Somerset in 1985 and Dean Jones for Australia in 1989.

The former Warwickshire all rounder's barrage left his old team needing 393 to win and they closed the third day on 55 for two after losing both openers in the first four overs.

Worcestershire resumed on the third morning on 31 without loss, already 180 ahead, but were pegged back by disciplined bowling. The opening partnership reached 80 in 32 overs before three wickets fell for 12 runs in 51 balls. Gareth Roderick (50, 110) edged an expansive drive at Beau Webster. Jake Libby's 149 minutes of toil for 25 ended when he pulled Ed Barnard to mid-wicket. Kashif Ali collected a tortuous 29-ball duck when he pulled Corey Rocchiccioli to short fine leg.