Graeme Hick's golden sequence of form continued as the Worcestershire batsman registered the 125th first-class century of his career against local rivals Warwickshire at Edgbaston.

Hick, who was 38 on Sunday, dominated the opening day of the Frizzell County Championship Division One clash and is on course to become the first player to notch 1,000 runs this season.

The former England batsman came into the game perched on top of the national batting averages after scoring double centuries against New Zealand (204no) and Gloucestershire (262).

Now his 158 has moved him ahead of Surrey's Scott Newman -- out for a duck against Kent yesterday -- as the country's highest run scorer this season on 801 and he is averaging 133.50.

Hick has notched more runs than he managed in the entire 2003 campaign when an aggregate of 670 at 33 saw him finish 114th in the national averages.

And he looked on course for another double hundred until he was run out by Neil Carter's direct hit from mid-wicket attempting a second run half an hour from the close of play.

Hick faced 263 balls and struck 24 fours and a six in an innings spanning six hours and nine minutes.

He has rediscovered the hunger and desire for runs and determination not to give his wicket away.

That was evident in the afternoon session when he managed just four runs in the 45 minute spell immediately after the resumption but he battled away.

Hick came to the wicket in the second over and shared a second wicket stand of 76 in 24 overs with Stephen Peters (31). Skipper Ben Smith (67) kept Hick company in a 141 stand in 42 overs.

Vikram Solanki (12) fell cheaply but Hick figured in further stands of 43 and 66 with Gareth Batty (22) and Andy Bichel (35) respectively before Worcestershire closed on 373-8.

Today they added six more runs before being bowled out for 379, Nadeem Malik and Mark Harrity both falling lbw without scoring to Naqqash Tahir.

Graeme Hick's golden sequence of form continued as the Worcestershire batsman registered the 125th first-class century of his career against local rivals Warwickshire at Edgbaston.

Hick, who was 38 on Sunday, dominated the opening day of the Frizzell County Championship Division One clash and is on course to become the first player to notch 1,000 runs this season.

The former England batsman came into the game perched on top of the national batting averages after scoring double centuries against New Zealand (204no) and Gloucestershire (262).

Now his 158 has moved him ahead of Surrey's Scott Newman -- out for a duck against Kent yesterday -- as the country's highest run scorer this season on 801 and he is averaging 133.50.

Hick has notched more runs than he managed in the entire 2003 campaign when an aggregate of 670 at 33 saw him finish 114th in the national averages.

Direct

And he looked on course for another double hundred until he was run out by Neil Carter's direct hit from mid-wicket attempting a second run half an hour from the close of play.

Hick faced 263 balls and struck 24 fours and a six in an innings spanning six hours and nine minutes.

He has rediscovered the hunger and desire for runs and determination not to give his wicket away.

That was evident in the afternoon session when he managed just four runs in the 45 minute spell immediately after the resumption but he battled away.

Hick came to the wicket in the second over and shared a second wicket stand of 76 in 24 overs with Stephen Peters (31). Skipper Ben Smith (67) kept Hick company in a 141 stand in 42 overs.

Vikram Solanki (12) fell cheaply but Hick figured in further stands of 43 and 66 with Gareth Batty (22) and Andy Bichel (35) respectively before Worcestershire closed on 373-8.

Today they added six more runs before being bowled out for 379, Nadeem Malik and Mark Harrity both falling lbw without scoring to Naqqash Tahir.

n Moody delighted with Hick form . . . Page 38.