Davies sets up Worcestershire

Steven Davies converted his overnight 75 into a fine 112 in Worcestershire's first-innings total of 415 at New Road

Steven Davies’ hundred helped Worcestershire extend their advantage over Yorkshire in the LV= County Championship Division One clash at New Road.

The hosts converted their overnight 319 for five into 415 all out before Yorkshire reached 55 for one on a rain-hit second day.

Michael Vaughan was unbeaten on 21 at the close as he attempted to make best use of his final match before England’s initial Ashes squad is named.

England national selector Geoff Miller was present to watch Vaughan, amongst others, before the squad to face Australia in the first npower Test at Cardiff is announced on Monday.

Vaughan, who had managed just 104 runs in six championship innings this season, took nine deliveries to get off the mark.

But he cashed in on some loose bowling from Matt Mason, whom he struck for all five of his boundaries before rain intervened with 13 overs remaining.

Mason had claimed the only Yorkshire wicket to fall when Jacques Rudolph was caught behind forcing off the back foot.

But Vaughan and Joe Sayers, who was 25 not out at the close, shared an unbroken stand of 40 before play ended prematurely.

Davies, resuming on 75, was in impressive form in recording his second championship century of the season to help Worcestershire to maximum batting points.

It was the perfect way for Davies, who has attracted the interest of Surrey, to celebrate his 23rd birthday as he saw Worcestershire to their highest total of the campaign.

Ashley Noffke helped Davies add 81 in 22 overs for the sixth wicket before he was trapped lbw for 35 by Ajmal Shahzad.

Davies brought up his hundred - made off 152 balls and containing 13 fours - with a square cut to the boundary off Matthew Hoggard.

But after making 112 he was caught down the leg side by wicketkeeper Jonathan Bairstow off Deon Kruis.

Worcestershire had reached 385 for seven when rain held play up for nearly four hour, and on the resumption Yorkshire quickly mopped up the remaining three wickets.

Kabir Ali was caught at cover by Azeem Rafiq as he tried to turn Hoggard to leg, and Gareth Batty drove Tim Bresnan for two to bring up the 400 before edging the next delivery to Rudolph at first slip to fall for 25.

Tim Bresnan polished off the innings by removing Chris Whelan.