Gloucestershire threw down the gauntlet to Worcestershire after declaring 75 runs behind on day two of the Specsavers County Championship clash at New Road.

The visitors pulled out at lunch on 364-6 after Graeme van Buuren and Craig Miles had shared an unbroken stand of 134 in 33.1 overs.

Van Buuren, who yesterday completed his maiden Championship century, continued on to make an unbeaten 172 from 307 balls with 21 fours while Miles remained unbeaten on 60.

Brett D'Oliveira struck an early blow to trap Jack Taylor (7) lbw but Van Buuren and Miles were untroubled in their partnership Gloucestershire paceman Liam Norwell sent back D'Oliveira (3) and Joe Clarke (0) during a lively opening spell.

Worcestershire skipper Daryl Mitchell hit a fluent 57-ball half century until he flicked Miles straight to square leg but Alexei Kervezee, who was dropped twice, remained unbeaten on 36 out of 121-3, an overall advantage of 196.