Graeme Hick's 113th first-class century took Worcestershire to the brink of wiping out Warwickshire's first innings total of 277 at New Road.

The former England batsman completed his hundred from only 101 balls and reached an unbeaten 116 before bad light and rain halted the home side at 273 for three in a 52-over rampage.

If Hick's innings was the centrepiece with 17 fours and two sixes, the impetus was provided by Philip Weston in launching the reply at six runs an over.

The left-handed opener is not renowned as a free-scoring batsman, but an eye-catching performance included a six off Dougie Brown and three fours in Vasbert Drakes' first over after lunch.

In all, Weston plundered 58 of his 74 in boundaries while sharing in partnerships of 66 in 12 overs with Anurag Singh and 115 in 20 with Hick.

Warwickshire's bowling left much to be desired and their wickets came at a fearful cost. Melvyn Betts went for 70 runs in exchange for Singh's edge to second slip and Weston's dismissal at slip was Drakes' only compensation for conceding 76.

And so it went on. Vikram Solanki hit England's fitness-seeking spinner, Ashley Giles, for a huge six in making 29 out of 81 with Hick before top-edging Brown to mid-on.

Hick was equally dismissive of Giles with 19 runs in the left-armer's two overs before lunch but he survived a chance at 100 when Dominic Ostler got both hands to a nick off Brown.

The rapid scoring by the hosts devalued Keith Piper's earlier efforts in batting on to make an unbeaten 92 for Warwickshire before Betts was last out after a stand of 61.

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