RAVICHANDRAN Ashwin delivered a trio of wickets on his Worcestershire debut but Gloucestershire's Jack Taylor was once again the major thorn in their side in leading a partial recovery on day two of the Specsavers County Championship.

The Indian spinner, who has joined Worcestershire for the conclusion of their promotion battle, bowled a lengthy spell and was rewarded by claiming the scalps of keeper Gareth Roderick, Kieran Noema-Barnett and Craig Miles.

An inspired afternoon spell of 9-4-12-3 by Ed Barnard helped reduce Gloucestershire 93-5 in reply to Worcestershire's 363 all out - still 121 short of making the home side have to bat again.

But it was at that juncture that Taylor came to the middle and continued his impressive sequence of Championship scores against Worcestershire with a fourth hundred in four matches.

He hit 105 at Bristol and 107 not out at New Road last summer and followed that up by making 143 at Cheltenham last month and now 101 not out.

Taylor shepherded Gloucestershire past the 214 follow on target in reaching 258 all out.

Ashwin finished with 3-94 from 29 overs and Barnard career best figures of 4-23. By the close Worcestershire had totalled 10-0 - an overall advantage of 115.

Paceman Josh Tongue had made the initial breakthrough when Chris Dent (22) was snapped up at leg slip by Joe Clarke. Then Barnard struck three times in the space of four overs.

He held onto a return catch off a leading edge from Will Tavare (9) and bowled both opener Cameron Bancroft (33) and George Hankins (4).

Ashwin had to wait until his 10th over to claim his first success. Roderick (9) attempted to work the ball through mid wicket and only succeeded in giving a return catch.

Taylor was then given solid support by Gloucestershire skipper Phil Mustard (29) in a partnership of 78 in 21 overs.

A fine piece of fielding by Brett D'Oliveira led to Mustard being run out by his direct hit from mid off after attempting a quick single off Ashwin.

Kieran Noema-Barnett (15) was lbw to Ashwin and Tom Scott (8) departed in the same manner to George Rhodes.

But Taylor went to his century off 140 balls with 12 fours before Ashwin had Miles (7) caught at short mid wicket for his third scalp and Liam Norwell (0) was bowled by Barnard.

Worcestershire lost their last three first innings wickets for three runs and were dismissed for 363 on a rain-shortened morning session Ben Cox (61) shouldered arms and was bowled by Norwell (4-54) after striking ten fours in his 91 ball knock.

Joe Leach (17) attempted to pull Miles and was also bowled and Norwell wrapped up the innings as Pat Brown (3) went for a drive and was caught behind.