Teenager Andrew McGarry was the Essex star on the opening day of their Championship clash against Second Division leaders Worcestershire at Chelmsford.

The 18-year-old Basildon-born fast bowler emerged from his day's labours with 3-29 from 16 overs, figures which spoke volumes for his hostile accuracy.

McGarry's efforts restricted Worcestershire to 232-7 from 104 overs and left Essex the happier of the two counties.

"It was a tremendous performance by the lad," said a delighted Geoff Arnold, the former England star who is now Essex bowling coach.

Arnold has played a significant part in McGarry's progress and added: "He showed the value of putting the ball in the right areas while, at the same time, displaying plenty of controlled aggression.

"We have high hopes of him. He's certainly got the ability to make a name for himself. It's up to him, with our help, to work hard at his game and make the most of it."

McGarry, who made his only other appearance in the first team against Sri Lanka A last summer, found himself pressed into action at the 11th hour when Ashley Cowan reported in unfit with a knee injury.

If McGarry was nervous he did not let it show while sending down an opening spell of seven overs costing 11 runs.

He removed Phil Weston with the help of Stephen Peters at short leg, but it was in his third stint that he gained his greatest reward.

He captured 2-10 in six overs and among his victims was Paul Pollard, who he trapped leg before for 77 to bring to an end resistance which had lasted five-and-quarter hours and spanned 85 overs.

Pollard, fresh from two half-centuries in the previous game against Notts, seemed surprised by that little bit of extra pace generated by the teenager who, two overs earlier, had breached the defences of Ryan Driver.

Driver was so out of sorts that he spent 40 minutes and 38 deliveries collecting a single as Worces-terhire lost their way after Pollard and David Leatherdale had shared in a century partnership.

They put on 117 in 49 overs to carry the total to 192 before Leatherdale, having made 62, edged an intended drive to Paul Grayson in the gully to provide Danny Law with success.

That opened the way for McGarry and Ronnie Irani, who got rid of skipper Steve Rhodes just before the close, to make an impact and leave Essex well content with their day's work.

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