Peter Siddle signs off with five wickets as Hilton Cartwright puts batting form aside with career-best figures
Aussie bowlers find form in England
Australian quick Peter Siddle has signed off from his County Championship stint with Essex in style as the champions beat Worcestershire at New Road.
An inspired opening spell from the Victorian and the spin of Simon Harmer wrapped up a 32-run win.
Siddle dismissed Brett D'Oliveira, Tom Fell and first-innings centurion Joe Clarke on his way to finishing with 5-37 from 18 overs.
Harmer, who picked up 72 wickets last season, worked his way through the middle and lower order as Worcestershire, chasing 215, were bowled out for 182 and suffered a fourth defeat in five matches.
Travis Head, who'll link up with the Australia ODI squad next month, offered prolonged resistance for the home side with his highest score of 62.
But his efforts proved in vain on a wicket offering encouragement throughout.
Essex will now look to kick-start their season after securing a second win, with New Zealand paceman Neil Wagner having arrived to replace Siddle.
Siddle has ended his four-game stint with 20 wickets at 16, another strong showing in English conditions ahead of Australia's Ashes tour next year.
But Worcestershire are already facing an uphill battle to remain in the top flight after being promoted as champions last season.
In division two, Western Australia's Hilton Cartwright put his recent difficulties with the bat behind him by shining with the ball for Middlesex.
Scorecard: Middlesex v Gloucestershire
The allrounder, who scored a 10-ball duck on Saturday - his third in eight innings - returned career-best figures of 4-33 as Gloucestershire were bowled out for 210 at Lord's in response to the hosts' 8-455 declared.
Following-on, Gloucestershire closed on 2-66 as Middlesex put themselves on course to close out victory on the final day.
Image Id: 048CF4CE1F334120AA43B0F090FD9648 Image Caption: Cartwright has continued his good recent form with the ball // Getty"Getting a good bowl these last few games has given me some rhythm and career-best figures is nice," Cartwright said.
"I think where we are - with one win, two losses and a draw - it'd be nice to get the win going into the one-dayers and gain a bit of momentum going forward for the rest of the season."