Moore runs for Worcestershire

Stephen Moore holds his bat up to the crowd on reaching his sixth hundred this year

Stephen Moore boosted Worcestershire's promotion push with a fine century in the LV County Championship Division Two match against Middlesex at Kidderminster.

The 27-year-old opener scored 111 before becoming one of paceman Tim Murtagh's haul of 6-52.

Moore's crucial innings, coupled with a last-wicket stand of 62 between Chris Whelan and AJ Harris, helped Worcestershire capture two precious bonus points by reaching 265 in 69.1 overs.

At the close, Middlesex were 126 for one off 26 overs with Andrew Strauss unbeaten on 66.

Moore, after striking three sixes and 17 fours off 139 balls, was finally caught behind by Ben Scott off Murtagh, who has now replaced Worcestershire's Kabir Ali as the leading Division Two wicket-taker with 61 scalps.

Whelan managed to escape Murtagh's clutches during his career-best 58 for injury-hit Worcestershire who were without Graeme Hick, who retires from county cricket at the end of the season.

Worcestershire, after winning the toss, looked to have made the wrong decision to bat first as Murtagh reduced them to 36 for three with a deadly opening spell which included two wickets in two balls.

First he had Daryl Mitchell, who began his innings needing 99 more first-class runs to complete 1,000 in his first full season, caught at second slip by Eoin Morgan four.

Next ball skipper Vikram Solanki fell victim to a smart low catch at first slip by Strauss for his fourth duck in his last six championship knocks.

Ben Smith became Murtagh's third scalp when he was bowled while attempting to drive to leg.

Murtagh's trio of wickets had been captured in the space of 10 balls for just nine runs.

Tim Murtagh has Vikram Solanki out for a first ball duck

Moore, joined by Hick's replacement Moeen Ali, went on to complete his half-century with one six and eight fours off 59 balls.

He later hammered a six off Shaun Udal to bring up the 100 for Worcestershire in the 25th over.

Shortly after lunch, however, the hosts lost their fourth wicket when Moeen was trapped lbw by Alan Richardson after putting on a timely 79 in 19 overs with Moore.

His departure signalled the beginning of another fruitful partnership, this time between Steve Davies and Moore, who completed his sixth first class-century of the summer with two sixes and 16 fours off 126 balls.

It was also his fifth championship ton in a campaign which is now the most productive of his career with 1,444 first-class runs. His previous best seasonal tally had been 1,399 in 2005.

Moore, however, then became part of a clutch of wickets which saw Worcestershire lose four wickets for three runs in the space of 12 balls.

Firstly, Davies - on 29 after adding 62 in 14 overs with Moore - edged to Strauss off Dirk Nannes, who followed up in the same over by removing Gareth Batty for a duck.

Moore then edged to Scott off Murtagh who, later in the over, reduced Worcestershire to 180 for eight by dismissing Gareth Andrew.

Whelan and Dilhara Fernando earned Solanki's men a bonus point in the 49th over before the Sri Lanka seamer, making his championship debut, was caught behind off Murtagh.

Middlesex's impressive burst, however, came to a halt thanks to the last wicket stand, spanning 21 overs, by Whelan and Harris which ended when determined Whelan was lbw to Dawid Malan after notching seven fours off 79 balls.