Kabir leads Worcestershire to win

Kabir Ali took six wickets as Worcestershire wrapped up victory over Glamorgan

Kabir Ali took six wickets as Worcestershire moved into second place in the LV County Championship Division Two table with a crushing 10-wicket victory over struggling Glamorgan at New Road.

The 27-year-old paceman claimed six for 58 to lift his Championship tally for the season to 37 at an average of 20.

It was also his first five-wicket haul in the competition at New Road since taking five for 94 against Leicestershire in September 2006.

His fine efforts helped remove Glamorgan for 279 – the same as their first innings score - and leave Worcestershire with a target of 102 which they achieved with the second opening century stand of the match between Stephen Moore and Daryl Mitchell.

Glamorgan, who have now suffered four defeats in their last five matches, resumed their follow-on just 11 runs ahead on 189 for seven and were finally dismissed after a rearguard action lasting 93 minutes.

James Harris, unbeaten on 10, and Jason Gillespie, with seven, continued their uphill battle against Worcestershire’s overseas debutant Imran Arif and Kabir who between them had captured six of the seven Glamorgan second-innings wickets to fall the previous day.

The pace duo were unable to prevent Harris and Gillespie from completing a spirited half-century stand in 14 overs.

They nudged the partnership on to 52 before Worcestershire made their first bowling change with spinner Gareth Batty taking over from Kabir.

Shortly afterwards Arif made way for paceman Matt Mason whose introduction to the attack soon paid off when he had Harris caught low down by wicketkeeper Steve Davies for 43 including eight fours off 84 balls.

He had put on 79 in 23 overs with Gillespie whose next partner David Harrison made seven before he was comprehensively bowled by the lively Kabir.

He then followed up by removing Dean Cosker to leave Gillespie unbeaten on 49 after Glamorgan’s fourth follow on in five matches.

Kabir’s exploits overshadowed Simon Jones’ bowling contribution against his former county as he failed to take a second-innings wicket in his 11 overs.

Worcestershire, who have now secured two wins and a draw in their last three matches, launched their victory chase with Moore and Mitchell who put on 109 first time around.

They were again a dominant force with Moore following up his first-innings 57 with 58 not out, including one six and eight fours off 82 balls, while Mitchell was undefeated on 44.