Weston puts Worcestershire into strong position

Philip Weston scored his first century for two years as Worcestershire piled up a lead of 444 against Nottinghamshire in search of their home Championship of the season.

After a first day of 20 wickets and centuries by Graeme Hick and Kevin Pietersen, the game quietened down under Weston's more measured supervision. The left handed opener made an unbeaten 185 in six-and-a-half hours but only one of his partners got as far as 40 in Worcestershire's second innings total of 356 for 8.

Nottinghamshire were made to pay for a missed chance at mid-off during Weston's rapid progress to 50 off 76 balls in an opening partnership of 96 in 24 overs with Anurag Singh.

The initial impetus was then lost as Notts used their left-arm spinners, Richard Stemp and Usman Afzaal, in support of the seamers. Singh clipped a catch to mid-on and Graeme Hick played on for two wickets by Stemp and then Afzaal had Vikram Solanki taken at cover before bowling Nick Boulton.

The pacemen were also rewarded, first when David Leatherdale edged David Lucas to slip and again when Andrew Harris took two wickets in the last over before tea.

The game was in the balance, with Worcestershire 313 ahead at 225 for 7, but Weston accelerated with a third 50 in 64 balls and Stuart Lampitt made 40 in an eighth-wicket stand of 120.

Weston, who scored his last century against Leicestershire in July 1999, carried on his marathon to finish a day at the crease with 31 fours from 299 balls.