More runs for Moore

Spinner Monty Panesar bowls to opener Stephen Moore

Worcestershire opener Stephen Moore hit his second first-class century of the season as Northamptonshire were forced to endure a torrid day in the LV County Championship Division Two match at Wantage Road.

The 27-year-old – who notched 109 in his first game against Warwickshire – repeated the trick, smashing 109 off 153 balls as Worcestershire closed on 216 for three.

Australian pacemen Steve Magoffin ripped through the Northamptonshire middle-order taking 4-49 as the hosts were skittled out for 168 in 48.4 overs.

Not even England spinner Monty Panesar could prevent Moore and skipper Vikram Solanki tightening Worcestershire’s grip as they put on 130 to give Worcester a lead of 48.

The visitors picked up where they left off on day one with seamer Kabir Ali trapping Rob White lbw for 10 with the first ball of the day.

The visitors struck again in the next over – opener Stephen Peters (13) failing to add to his overnight score dragging on Aussie Magoffin’s rising delivery.

Northamptonshire still had failed to record a run when wicketkeeper Riki Wessels fell without scoring, spooning Magoffin straight to Gareth Andrew with the hosts reeling at 33 for four.

Daryl Mitchell during his innings of 36

Incoming batsmen Lance Klusener made 30 before he was sent packing after cutting Magoffin straight to Solanki in the 27th over.

Former England spinner Gareth Batty joined in on the act dismissing skipper Nicky Boje (20) before Christopher Whelan sent Johann Louw packing for two.

Tail-ender David Lucas quickly fell straight after lunch as Northamptonshire slumped to 132 for seven – guiding Batty straight to wicketkeeper Steve Davies for a duck.

Former skipper David Sales brought up his first half-century of the season off 106 balls in the 44th over but failed to add to his tally after edging Magoffin straight to Davies.

The 21-year-old wicketkeeper bagged his sixth catch of the innings to dismiss Panesar for seven and wrap up the innings – David Wigley left stranded on eight.

Nicky Boje battles for Northamptonshire

Worcestershire openers Daryl Mitchell (36) and Moore put the home attack to shame as they raced to 78 off the opening 18 overs.

But Lucas finally made the break through in the 22nd over when his rising delivery found Mitchell’s edge and Wessels cleaned up.

Northamptonshire trio Klusener, Panesar and skipper Boje toiled but could do little to stop Moore racing to his century off 130 balls in the 45th over as Worcestershire took the lead.

Solanki quickly followed with a half-century off 83 balls but the hosts found light at the end of the tunnel when Lucas dismissed the former England international for 64 in the 52nd over.

And Northamptonshire had the last laugh when Moore’s innings was brought to a close by Lucas in the final over of the day with Ben Smith not out on four.