JACK Brooks insists Worcestershire can “compete big time” in LV= County Championship Division One.

Brooks picked up nine wickets in reigning champions Yorkshire’s three-day win over Worcestershire at New Road for his best-ever match haul of 9-84.

But the paceman believes Worcestershire can bounce back from the reversal and should “not be too down” about the ten-wicket loss.

Brooks said: “Worcestershire can take positives from the game, definitely. Going into day three, they were level pegging with us and had a slight first-innings advantage.

“We knew coming here it would be a tough game, a team who had just got promoted and a nice, well-drilled, talented, young outfit with a lot to prove.

“We were depleted with a few players missing so knew it was going to be a tough game. It was quite a scrappy first two days and no-one really got the ascendancy.

“I spoke to a couple of Worcestershire lads after the second day and said if you get on top in one session in Division One it can win you the game.

“On the third morning myself and Bres (Tim Bresnan) got going. It wasn’t bad shots, we just bowled in good areas and were able to keep our foot on the throat of the Worcester guys.

“Tom Fell played beautifully in the first innings and is going to be a good player. In the second innings, we had a better plan to him and it paid off.

“I don’t think Worcestershire should be too down about it and take the positives out of it. We are the champions still. I’m sure they can bounce back from this.”

Brooks added: “Can Worcestershire compete in Division One? Big time, yes. I don’t think there is a stand-out weak team in this division this year.

“If Worcestershire can keep their seam attack fit, they can definitely take 20 wickets in a game.

“I hope we can beat them again later in the season but, other than that, I wish them well.”