DAVID Hemp led a Warwickshire fightback after Graeme Hick's had completed his 12th double century on the second day of Worcestershire's County Championship Division Two match at Edgbaston.

Hemp completed his century today as Warwickshire battled to close on the County's bumper 524.

Hick made only five more runs yesterday before he was out for 201, but his innings of 22 fours and three sixes laid the foundation for his team's highest Championship total in two years.

Warwickshire needed a century stand by Mark Wagh and Hemp, who was unbeaten on 89 over-night, to boost their fortunes, although they were still 301 behind when they resumed their first innings today.

A target of 375 to avoid the follow-on looked mountainous when Alamgir Sheriyar struck in the sixth over with his 50th Championship wicket of the season.

Michael Powell's edge into the slips was palmed up by Hick and then held by Vikram Solanki.

Worse followed when Ian Bell was lbw to Chris Liptrot, but Wagh refused to be overwhelmed by the situation.

A measured counter-attack brought eight fours in a 56-ball half-century and promised his third hundred off Worcestershire bowling in four seasons.

Hemp played equally well with eight fours until reaching his 50 with a six off spinner Matt Rawnsley, but Wagh's enterprising performance was terminated by the return of Liptrot.