Moore passes milestone

Stephen Moore has been in fantastic form with the bat this summer, with 567 runs

Stephen Moore became the first batsman to complete 500 runs this season when leading Worcestershire to safety in their rain-interrupted LV County Championship clash with Gloucestershire at New Road.

Forced to follow on 230 runs behind after their first innings dismissal for 214, the home side comfortably secured a fourth successive draw by making 196 for three in a much-improved performance second time round.

Moore took his total to 567 runs from nine innings but narrowly failed to reach his fourth century of the summer when dismissed for 84 after facing 113 balls. In a polished display, he hit a dozen fours and a big six.

Worcestershire began the last day at 189 for nine in their erratic first attempt and picked up a batting bonus point before Simon Jones was caught on the midwicket boundary. This gave leg-spinner Matthew Gitsham his first championship wicket.

Daryl Mitchell, who resumed his innings after being hit on the left elbow on Friday, remained unbeaten on 11 but was unable to open with Moore when Worcestershire began their effort to save the game.

Vikram Solanki moved up from his number three slot and set the pace with 44 from 75 balls until he was lured into an error. Aiming to drive off-spinner Marcus North over mid-off, he put up the easiest of chances to Gitsham.

Ben Smith, still looking for his first championship fifty of the season, was also guilty of giving up his wicket cheaply when smashing a long-hop from Will Rudge straight to Anthony Ireland on the midwicket fence

Smith made 21 in a stand of 60 as Worcestershire reached tea at 158 for two but Moore fell to Ireland in the second over after the interval.

The 27-year-old Moore, born in South Africa but qualified for England, failed to control a drive outside off stump and edged to Mark Hardinges in the gully.

Graeme Hick, with five boundaries in an unbeaten 30, and Steven Davies (13 not out) then avoided any further mishaps before the teams settled for a draw during a light shower at 4.50pm.

For bottom-of-the-table Gloucestershire it was a frustrating final day in the field with five interruptions for bad light or rain.

There was some consolation in ending a run of eight consecutive defeats in championship visits to New Road but it is now 22 years since they last won a four-day game in Worcestershire.