Rain foils Worcestershire's late victory bid

Worcestershire's 21-year-old paceman Chris Liptrot was in the process of re-shaping a run-swamped game when rain cruelly wiped out the final session.

The first-change seamer took 3 for 12 in eight overs to undermine Warwickshire's bid to score 311 for victory but the weather then wrecked the visitors' hopes of conjuring up a fourth win of the season in the Second Division.

Warwickshire, set to make 311 for a victory which would have revived faltering promotion prospects,, were the side under pressure at 77 for 4 after unexpected problems for their batsmen.

The first sign of life in a previously docile pitch accounted for Michael Powell in a brief passage of play before lunch. The opener sparred at a lifter from Andy Bichel and gave a catch behind the wicket without scoring.

Liptrot then made his first breakthrough by bowling Mark Wagh off his pads for 29. David Hemp, top scorer in the first innings with 186 not out was lbw for eight and a promising knock of 28 by Ian Bell ended with another catch for Steve Rhodes.

Worcestershire had declared at 233 for 2 with Philip Weston unbeaten on 102. Vikram Solanki chipped in with 56 and Graeme Hick's 41 not out took him beyond 1,000 runs for the season for the 16th time in an English campaign.

Weston's second Championship century of the season was assembled at his own pace, taking 230 balls and including one six before he reached three-figures by driving Vasbert Drakes for his 14th four.