Hick puts Worcs in charge

Graeme Hick drives during his innings of 101 © Getty Images

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Graeme Hick’s 135th first-class century tightened Worcestershire’s hold on the LV County Championship clash with local rivals Warwickshire at Edgbaston.

The former England batsman showed no sign of a troublesome elbow injury in making 101 before Vikram Solanki, himself a century-maker in an imposing 447 for seven, set the home side a target of 482.

No team has scored this many to win a county match at Edgbaston and Warwickshire are unlikely to succeed now after losing three wickets for 26 in 16 overs.

Worcestershire were still without Simon Jones but the former England bowler hopes a sore neck will have eased in time for him to bowl on the final day.

His substitute, Moeen Ali, was involved in the first wicket, holding a simple chance when Ian Westwood steered a short ball from Kabir Ali to point.

In fading light Worcestershire reverted to spin and Hick was back in the action with two catches at slip as Gareth Batty accounted for Darren Maddy and Jonathan Trott in his first 13 balls.

On the evidence so far, Worcestershire already looked the better equipped to make an immediate return to Division One after both counties were relegated last summer.

Vikram Solanki (left) reaches his hundred with Kabir Ali in support © Getty Images

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Solanki set the pattern of relentless accumulation with his first hundred since last June in the final four-day fixture at New Road before flooding forced them to abandon their headquarters for the rest of the season.

Always one of the most entertaining batsmen in his free-flowing style, he scored 98 in boundaries – 23 fours and a six - in his 140 before handing over to the peerless Hick.

After the relatively low scoring in the first two innings, two high-quality players confirmed that the pitch is full of runs. Apart from Ant Botha’s 4-77 with his left-arm spin, Warwickshire simply did not have the resources to stem he tide.

Resuming at 150 for two, Worcestershire were up and running straight away as Kabir expanded the nightwatchman’s role with 44, his highest Championship score for three years, while putting on exactly 100 with Solanki.

Kabir hit seven fours before he was lbw to Botha and the only other wicket to fall before lunch also went to the former Derbyshire spinner when Ben Smith ventured down the pitch.

Tony Frost ended Warwickshire’s long wait for a stumping in the Championship after going through last season without one.

Solanki eventually gave a slip catch off Lee Daggett but batting looked easier than ever as Hick dominated a partnership of 96 in 22 overs with Steven Davies (37).

Davies gave a routine catch to Frost off Daggett and Hick made his exit soon after completing his fifth century at Edgbaston with the help of 15 fours.

Aiming for something bigger off Botha, he planted the ball straight to Neil Carter at long on.