ED Barnard is hoping Worcestershire's luck with the weather will change as they chase victory on the final day of the Specsavers County Championship Division Two match with Sussex at New Road today (11am).

Sussex will resume on 137-3 in their second innings - still 76 in arrears after being asked to follow on by Worcestershire skipper Daryl Mitchell.

But the forecast is for rain and Worcestershire will have their fingers crossed there is not a repeat of the downpours which denied them against Glamorgan in Cardiff when strongly placed.

Barnard picked up three first innings wickets as Sussex were dismissed for 278 and then the prized scalp of Ed Joyce (74) just before the close.

He said: "It is a very flat pitch and we've done very well today to be honest to take seven wickets in total.

"It was hard going but everyone stuck at it and to keep them at under three an over for the whole day was a great effort.

"I think there is still a 'ball' in the pitch as we saw towards the end of our innings and especially this morning.

"The cracks started to open up and, if you can catch the edge, then it will go up and down.

"I'm not sure the forecast is great and hopefully the rain can stay away. With our luck this season, you never know.

"We seem to have missed out on quite a bit of cricket. We've played good cricket all season and we deserve more than what we have got so far and hopefully the rain can stay away tomorrow and we can push on for a win."

Barnard praised the catching qualities at first slip of Tom Kohler-Cadmore who held onto chances offered by Joyce and Luke Wells in the final session of the day.

He said: "Pepsi is brilliant in there. He catches pretty much everything. That is really important, especially this season when the wickets have been as flat as they have.

"Taking every chance is crucial. It showed at Glamorgan when we played there.

"There were a couple of chances they missed which hurt them quite badly but we have been brilliant so far this season at taking our chances."

Barnard said the bowlers were also glad to have the experience of New Zealand paceman Matt Henry to call upon.

He said: "I think the way Henners (Henry) bowled well, maybe without much luck, was excellent and he got the ball reversing.

"Just to have that international experience for all of us to learn off is brilliant and then Leachy (Joe Leach) and Shants (Jack Shantry), doing what they do is really good as well."