Samaraweera nears maiden ton

Thilan Samaraweera was on the brink of a first century for Worcestershire in the County Championship when rain wiped out nearly 60 overs on day two at New Road.

Samaraweera, the 36-year-old Sri Lankan, underlined his international pedigree by moving on to an unbeaten 92 before the weather closed in with his side on 294 for 7 and edging towards a promising position.

After four floods at the ground during the winter, the first pitch of the season has helped all the bowlers, with inconsistent bounce for the seamers and some turn for Jigar Naik, who posted the fourth five-wicket return of his career.

Naik's offspin took the four wickets to fall on the shortened second day, giving him overall figures of 5 for 98.

Having gone into the second day on 198 for 3, Worcestershire continued their steady progress with the third half-century stand of the innings before Naik made an impact in cold and windy conditions.

Alexei Kervezee found some form for the first time this season in making 35 but clipped a catch to Matt Boyce at short-leg and when Neil Pinner found Michael Thornely at short midwicket, Naik had two wickets in seven balls.

Michael Johnson held up Naik for a while but was bowled swinging across the line; Gareth Andrew followed him next ball, caught behind.

Worcestershire avoided any further trouble in a short session after lunch. Shaaiq Choudhry reached 15 not out as Samaraweera's marathon stretched towards five hours, featuring only eight boundaries.