ANURAG Singh completed a career-best 168 for Worcestershire in their County Championship Division Two match against Middlesex at New Road.

He resumed on 103 and was again in commanding form to boost the County to 434 off 113 overs, a lead of 85. At the close last night Middlesex were 67 ahead by reaching 152-2.

By the time Singh was dismissed by paceman Chad Keegan, he had hit a six and 25 fours off 236 balls and in the process completed 1,000 first class runs in a season for the first time.

Afterwards he said: "I'm over the moon. It's just a relief to get a Championship century, It's a shame I couldn't get 200, but Keegan produced a bit of a jaffa.

"Getting 1,000 runs was my target at the beginning of the year. I've never played a full season of Championship cricket before and it's very satisfying to get a thousand."

Singh began the day with skipper Graeme Hick with the County's total at 182-1. They put on 50 in 14 overs before Hick walked in front of a Tim Bloomfield delivery and was trapped leg before for 31.

Paceman Bloomfield then made it two wickets in three balls when he bowled Vikram Solanki. Singh, however, continued to prosper and added a further 83 in 19 overs with David Leatherdale (33).

After Singh's departure Steve Rhodes (30) and Kadeer Ali, with a career-best 38, added 52 for the seventh wicket as Worcestershire closed on 434 all out.

Middlesex lost Robin Weston for 34 before they cleared the deficit in the 15th over.

Owais Shah also fell before the close, although opener Andrew Strauss remained unbeaten on 64, including six fours.