WORCESTERSHIRE head coach Kevin Sharp was delighted to salvage a draw at title-chasing Nottinghamshire in Specsavers County Championship Division One at Trent Bridge.

Joe Clarke’s unbeaten 177 and support from the likes of Ben Cox (27), Ross Whiteley (10) and youngster Ben Twohig, who batted 100 balls for his 35, enabled the County to hold on for a share of the spoils.

Notts had been in command after declaring on 499-9 and then bowling the visitors out for 287.

But the hosts did not enforce the follow-on and set a daunting target by declaring on 249-4 in their second innings.

The County dug in though and had two wickets remaining on 368-8 when the day-night match was declared a draw.

Worcestershire’s nine-point haul compared to Notts’ 12 left them 14 shy of Yorkshire at the bottom of the table.

Sharp said: “I’m delighted to come out with a draw. Overall Nottinghamshire played the better cricket in this match.

“With the bat we had a couple of good scores, obviously Joe’s and Ross’ in the first innings.

“But we got lads who got in and got out a bit and that from our perspective was one of the disappointing things.

“In the field we really stuck to our task. It’s been a good pitch and the lads have really worked hard, fought, scrapped and never given in.

“Even though we haven’t been at our best there is a fantastic spirit among this group. They never give in and keep going. If you’ve just come second in the game to come out with a draw is a great fillip for us.”

Sharp was full of praise for Clarke after his stunning innings: “He can go all the way for me.

“I spoke to Joe Root (now England Test captain) three years ago and told him he would bat with a guy called Joe Clarke one day and I think that will happen.

“He is a high-class performer. We saw that. Fantastic concentration, patience, skill and a real good nous in terms of cricket knowledge. He knows how to play the game.”

On Twohig’s effort, Sharp continued: “I’m so proud of Ben because sometimes over the last two or three years he’s been on the receiving end of some harsh words.

“Sometimes one or two of the shot selections have been a bit high-risk and I’ve just given him a big hug in there because he has actually shown some real maturity.

“That (innings) for his development will be absolutely priceless.”

On wicketkeeper Ben Cox’s rib injury which forced him off when fielding, Sharp said: “I don’t think he is having a scan.

“I think he is OK. He had a little rib impingement. He fell awkwardly.

“He is obviously a bit stiff but I think he is going to be fine.”

On the day-night format, Sharp added: “I’m not sure the lights have had much effect in the sense it’s the end of June and if the weather is nice you can play to nearly 8pm without lights.

“I don’t see thousands of people coming in at 6pm from work. I don’t want to condemn it. The pink ball goes soft quite early so there is a lot of thinking to be done.

“I get the reasons why this would happen and why we would play this sort of format but time will tell if it is the real future.”