Worcs take command

Australian Phil Jaques during his century for Worcestershire

Graeme Hick was kept waiting for his 40,000th first-class run as his team-mates piled on the runs at New Road on Wednesday.

The prolific former England batsman, 41, needs just 64 to reach the latest milestone in a phenomenal career but could only watch as Worcestershire reached 446 for two against Surrey in the LV County Championship.

Phil Jaques (124), Stephen Moore (143) and captain Vikram Solanki (109 not out) all hit centuries with Ben Smith unbeaten on 53.

It was a second hundred of the week for both Jaques – who put on 234 for the first wicket with Moore – and Solanki after Friends Provident Trophy tons three days ago.

Elsewhere in the First Division, Joe Sayers and Anthony McGrath also hit hundreds as league leaders Yorkshire enjoyed a fine first day against Kent at Tunbridge Wells.

Sayers was unbeaten on 137 from 297 balls while McGrath hit 100 of the visitors’ 310 for three.

The pair put on 203 for the second wicket before late breakthroughs gave Kent some reward for their efforts.

Australia legend Shane Warne took 4-84 as his Hampshire side restricted Sussex to 302 for nine at Arundel.

Opener Stephen Moore drives against Surrey

Chris Nash (61) and Richard Montgomerie (48) got Sussex off to a fine start but with Chris Tremlett also taking three wickets, Hampshire got themselves firmly back into the game.

Further resistance came from Sussex captain Chris Adams (52) and Mushtaq Ahmed (54).

Lancashire captain Mark Chilton hit his first hundred of the season to give his side a solid start at Durham.

Chilton (115) put on 140 for the fourth wicket with Stuart Law (60) as Lancashire closed on 290 for six at the Riverside.

James Anderson was included in Lancashire’s starting line-up despite being on standby for England in the third npower Test against West Indies.

In the Second Division, Derbyshire were well in control against Gloucestershire at the County Ground after declaring on 500 for nine and then reducing the hosts to 164 for five.

Joe Sayers celebrates his hundred for Yorkshire

Ant Botha was run out two short of his century in Gloucestershire’s strong first-inning showing while wicket-keeper Jamie Pipe added an unbeaten 53.

Tom Lungley was then the pick of the bowlers with 3-32 as the visitors took firm control.

Glamorgan’s 17-year-old bowling star James Harris proved his worth as an all-rounder as the Welsh side, enduring a dismal season, established a strong position against Nottinghamshire at Swansea.

Harris became the county’s youngster player to hit a half-century with 87no – overshadowing 115 from Robert Croft – as Glamorgan posted 429.

Jason Gallian (78) and Mark Wagh (57) put on 113 in the reply but Harris chipped in further with two wickets as Notts closed on 199 for five.

Marcus Trescothick cracked his second championship century of the season as Somerset showed Leicestershire how to bat on Taunton’s featherbed.

The England opener smashed 22 fours in his 157-ball 153no as Somerset closed on 357 for one after skittling Leicestershire for 168.

Trescothick put on 233 for the first wicket with another centurion in Neil Edwards (133) while James Hildreth was 55no.

Steffan Jones was the chief Leicestershire destroyer with 6-61 as the visitors capitulated with Tom New (33) top-scoring.

Ravi Bopara further underlined his England credentials with an unbeaten 155 from 287 balls for Essex against Northamptonshire at Chelmsford.

Grant Flower was 71no as Essex reached stumps on 309 for two with Varun Chopra having earlier made 50.