Rain interrupted an innings of high promise from Graeme Hick on the opening day of the CricInfo Championship. Batting with great authority and superb touch, Hick had hit six fours in his unbeaten 37 out of Worcestershire's total of 73 for one against Middlesex at Lord's.

Fears that early-season pitches would, in the wake of the atrocious weather of recent weeks, be disastrous for batsmen proved unfounded. The strip at Lord's looked dry and Worcestershire had no hestitation in electing to bat.

The visitors did suffer an early setback, but only because left-hander Phil Weston went in pursuit of a ball from Tim Bloomfield which would have been better left alone.

Weston's opening partner, Anurag Singh, who was making his debut for his new county, plated with immense patience and care to remain unbeaten with 22 while Hick played the drive with total freedom.

Rain struck when half an hour remained for play and persisted right through the afternoon, ending play for the day.

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