Justin Langer waved his bat to all corners of the County Ground after being dismissed for 46 in what could prove his last Championship innings for Somerset.

The uncharacteristic lapse in concentration, which saw the Australian cut a simple catch to point, would be a sad way to go out after a three-year tenure as captain that has seen the club's playing fortunes transformed.

But it did not prevent a warm ovation from appreciative Somerset supporters as Langer appeared to begin his farewells.

He made a point of turning twice to acknowledge the crowd, despite being clearly furious with himself.

On the dressing room balcony erstwhile Somerset CCC greats Brian Rose and Jimmy Cook led the applause.

If Langer does bat again in what could well prove his last first class appearance it will be because Somerset make a mess of chasing Worcestershire's 571, which included an amazing 298 from the unheralded Daryl Mitchell.

The home side closed the second day on 184-3, still 387 behind, with Marcus Trescothick, as well as Langer, among the players dismissed.

Trescothick was as angry with himself as the man he is succeeding as captain after giving off-spinner Moeen Ali the charge and presenting 17-year-old debutant wicketkeeper Ben Cox with a simple stumping he will long remember.

Another Taunton draw still looks the most likely outcome, although not out batsmen James Hildreth and Zander de Bruyn have both been through lean spells in Championship cricket and may need to end the campaign on a high if relegated Worcestershire are not to record a shock win.

They will do well to match the exploits of Mitchell, who added 66 to his overnight score of 232 before being dismissed two short of becoming the third triple centurion here this season.

His innings came to an end when, out of the blue, his middle stump was knocked back by Peter Trego.

When the hosts replied they also looked set to cash in on a plum batting wicket and short boundary on the town side of the ground. But Gareth Andrew yorked Arul Suppiah for 22 to make it 45-1 and much work is still to be done.