Three declarations came to nothing when Worcesteshire were unable to match a steep asking rate of 296 in 49 overs to beat Sussex.

Opener Philip Weston supplied one half of a matchwinning formula by staying unbeaten for 78, including nine fours from 124 balls, but he could not find a big partnership with any of the classy stroke-makers.

They all made some progress and then fell under the containing influence of Robin Martin-Jenkins in a sustained spell of 3 for 50 from a dozen overs.

Anurag Singh moved briskly to 20 before giving the all-rounder a caught-and-bowled chance and Graeme Hick, though dropped at second slip, looked good until he was caught at cover by Tony Cottey for 34 out of 56.

Worcestershire then tried the less scientific methods of Andy Bichel and this ploy nearly paid off with three fours before his stumps were knocked back as he attempted to slog Martin-Jenkins to a distant part of the ground.

With the rate up to ten an over, Vikram Solanki made one last stab at the target, with 34 in a stand of 56 with Weston, but Worcestershire closed on 188 for 4 as soon as the England batsman was bowled behind his legs by Umer Rashid.

The two teams had to use their imagination to bring about a spirited finish to a game dogged by bad weather. Sussex declared their first innings at 255 for 7, Worcestershire went in briefly to make 14 for 1, and Murray Goodwin, unbeaten with 42, quickly guided Sussex to 54 for 2 when they batted a second time.

In a good match for new overseas signings, Goodwin posted an aggregate of 136 and Worcestershire's Australian pace bowler, Bichel, had overall figures of 5 for 89 in his first appearance at New Road.

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