TON-UP Anurag Singh completed a half-century stand with Graeme Hick when Worcestershire's County Championship Division Two match against Middlesex resumed at New Road today.

The County began on 182-1 off 37.3 overs in reply to the visitors 349 with Singh on 104 not out and Hick with a single.

Skipper Hick was quickly into his stride and made 31 before moving in front of Tim Bloomfield delivery and being trapped leg before.

He had put an exactly 50 in 14 overs with Singh whose next partner Vickram Solanki fell two deliveries later when he inside edged a Bloomfield delivery on to his leg stump for nought.

David Leatherdale then came out to join to Singh and was soon off the mark before Singh went on to complete 1,000 first class runs for the season when he had reached 131.

His efforts with Leatherdale enabled the County to pass the 250 mark in the 59th over. At that stage Singh was 133 and Leatherdale five.

Yesterday Singh had put on 180 in 37 overs with Philip Weston.

It was the County's first century opening partnership of the Championship campaign and also a record against Middlesex.

It eventually ended when Weston was well caught at deep mid-on by a diving Andrew Strauss off Phil Tufnell. He made 71, which included one six and 11 fours off 102 balls and in the process completed 1,000 Championship runs for the season.

Weston's removal thwarted his hopes of emulating his younger brother Robin who scored 106 in Middlesex's first innings.

After a start delayed by 90 minutes yesterday, the visitors had resumed on 258-6 of 72 overs and were finally ousted in 94.3 overs.

Worcestershire's most productive bowler was paceman Alamgir Sheriyar, who claimed 5-121 to take his haul of County Championship victims this season to 64.

Paul Weekes, unbeaten overnight on 45, went on to 63 before he was bowled, after charging at pace bowler Chris Liptrot.

Sheriyar stepped in to remove Chad Keegan for four, before Middlesex's fortunes were boosted up by Simon Cook and Bloomfield who put on 50 in 7.2 overs.

The stand was finally broken when Bloomfield cracked Sheriyar to Weston at wide third-man for 27.

Next ball Sheriyar accounted for Tufnell thanks to catch behind by Steve Rhodes, leaving Middlesex just one run short of a fourth batting bonus point.

* Nick Boulton is the only player Worcestershire have decided not to retain for next year.

The former Somerset batsman joined the County at the start of the season but has been unable to command a regular first team place.