RAVICHANDRAN Ashwin delivered a trio of wickets on his Worcestershire debut but Jack Taylor led a partial Gloucestershire recovery in County Championship Division Two.

The Indian spinner, who has joined for the rest of County's promotion battle, was rewarded by the scalps of Gareth Roderick, Kieran Noema-Barnett and Craig Miles from a lengthy spell.

An inspired afternoon spell of 9-4-12-3 by Ed Barnard helped reduce the visitors to 93-5 in reply to 363 all out, still 121 short of making the hosts have to bat again.

But then Taylor continued his impressive run of Championship scores against the County with a fourth hundred in four matches.

He 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 totalled 10-0 for an overall advantage of 115.

Paceman Josh Tongue made the initial breakthrough when Chris Dent (22) was snapped up at leg slip by Joe Clarke.

Then Barnard struck three times in four overs.

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

Ashwin had to wait until his 10th over for his first success.

Roderick (9) attempted to work the ball through mid-wicket but gave a return catch.

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

Fine fielding by Brett D'Oliveira had Mustard run out by a direct hit from mid off after attempting a quick single off Ashwin.

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.

The hosts lost their last three first-innings wickets for three runs and were dismissed for 363 on a rain-hit morning session.

Ben Cox (61) was bowled by Norwell (4-54) after 10 fours in his 91-ball knock.

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