ENGLAND reject Gareth Batty took four wickets as Worcestershire celebrated their elevation to the First Division of the Frizzell County Championship by defeating Hampshire by 101 runs at the Rose Bowl.

Chasing a target of 413, Hampshire were all out for a gallant 311 with just over 26 overs to spare.

Batty, left out by England on the first morning of the Oval Test, made his journey to the south coast worthwhile with figures of 4-94 to give him seven wickets in the match.

Worcestershire were made to work hard for their ninth win of the season after Hampshire resumed at 91-2 in their second innings, still requiring a further 322.

Matt Mason had Derek Kenway caught at the wicket for 44 with the total at 121 but it was Worcestershire's only success of the morning session.

Hampshire captain John Crawley and Lawrence Prittipaul put on 92 for the fourth wicket as Hampshire began to entertain outside chances of a win of their own.

The pair took Hampshire to 213 before Kabir Ali, another left out of the England party, had Prittipaul caught at the wicket.

Mason returned to dismiss Nic Pothas and Dimitri Mascarenhas but the prize wicket remained that of former England batsman Crawley.

Crawley was within sight of his first century since April 2002 at 88 when he sliced a delivery from Batty into his stumps.

The former England batsman hit 10 boundaries but his departure signalled the beginning of the end of the Hampshire resistance.