Kabir is the hero as Pears hit back

Kabir Ali spearheaded a tremendous Worcestershire fightback after a disappointing batting display against Essex in the LV County Championship Division Two match at New Road.

The former England paceman grabbed three for 21 to help reduce the shell-shocked visitors to 80 for seven off 21 overs in reply to his side's 176.

Worcestershire, who won the toss, quickly found themselves in the firing line and were dismissed in 70 overs.

Danish Kaneria (3-20), Tony Palladino (3-45) and Alex Tudor (3-46) did the damage with Ryan ten Doeschate removing top scorer Ben Smith for 60, his first Championship half century of the season.

Essex, however, found batting even more difficult on a hectic wicket-tumbling opening day in which seven batsmen fell victim to lbw decisions.

Worcestershire were 52 for three off 28 overs at lunchand needed Smith and Graeme Hick to provide a steadying influence.

Sadly it failed to materialise, however, as Hick was soon out and then Smith lost two partners with the score on 100 in the 47th over.

After Batty went lbw and leg-spinner Kaneria took centre stage by dismissing Ali, Steve Magoffin and Simon Jones.