Brett D'Oliveira follows in footsteps of Basil, Damian

Worcestershire 226 for 5 (D'Oliveira 128, Mitchell 66, Napier 3-56) trail Essex 451 for 9 dec (Cook 142, Westley 125, Foster 51, Leach 5-115) by 225 runs
Scorecard

Brett D'Oliveira scored his maiden County Championship hundred - the third generation of his family to achieve the feat - on day three of the Division Two clash with leaders Essex at New Road.

D'Oliveira followed in the footsteps of grandfather Basil and his late father Damian as he reached the milestone between lunch and tea from 134 balls with 16 fours. The 24-year-old looked up to the heavens before raising his bat towards his team-mates on the balcony after a cover drive for two off Graham Napier took him to three figures.

Basil had also registered his first Championship hundred for the county against Essex - at New Road in May 1965 - while Damian's first ton in the competition came against Middlesex in June 1983 at the same venue.

Brett was thrust into the opener's role for the final four Championship matches of last season in place of Richard Oliver and made several promising 30s and 40s. But this was actually the first time he had even passed 50 in the Championship, although he scored 122 in the first-class match with Oxford MCCU at the Parks earlier in the season.

He was eventually fourth out at 228 - caught at short midwicket by Jesse Ryder off David Masters - for a career-best 128.

D'Oliveira's efforts spearheaded an initial strong response from the home side after Essex had declared at 451 for 9 on the stroke of lunch. He was given excellent support in an opening partnership of 179 in 46 overs with skipper Daryl Mitchell on a still good batting pitch.

Mitchell had one escape, dropped on 9 at second slip by Tom Westley off Jamie Porter - but he grew in confidence. The opening pair took toll of some loose bowling to such an extent that 20 boundaries came in the first 25 overs of the innings.

But Essex then showed their mettle as five wickets went down for 43 runs. Napier bowled Mitchell and had Moeen Ali caught behind before Joe Clarke fell to a catch from Alastair Cook at first slip off Masters.

D'Oliveira reined himself during the final session before he eventually perished with eight overs remaining and then Napier had Ross Whiteley lbw for a duck as Worcestershire closed on 226 for 5 off 72 overs

In the morning session Worcestershire vice-captain Joe Leach claimed four wickets in 23 balls but Essex still claimed maximum batting points. Leach made full use of the second new ball in dismissing Ravi Bopara, Daniel Lawrence, Ryder and England Test captain Cook for a fine 142 after Essex had resumed on 335 for 2.

Leach produced a superb one-handed return catch to account for Cook, who struck one six and 22 fours in his 284 ball innings - his third Championship hundred of the campaign. But Ryan ten Doeschate and James Foster ensured the current Division Two leaders reached 400 in the 109th over and five batting points via a stand of 73 in 10 overs.

Foster reached a 42-ball half century with two sixes and five fours and finished undefeated on 51. There was just time for Leach to return and claim his fifth wicket before Essex declared. Leach finished with 5-115 from 27.4 overs.