GRAEME Hick notched the 113th first-class century of his career to put Worcestershire in a commanding position in their weather-hit County Championship Division Two match against Warwickshire at New Road.

The County skipper hammered an unbeaten 116 to hoist his side to 273-3 off 52 overs in reply to their rivals 277.

Hick clubbed two sixes and 17 fours off 128 deliveries to end a below-par sequence of five Championship knocks which had produced just 37 runs since scoring 120 against Hampshire at Southampton last month.

He turned his attention on the shell-shocked Warwickshire attack after a 66-run opening partnership in 12 overs between Phil Weston and Anurag Singh.

It came to an end when former Edgbaston batsman Singh was caught at second slip by David Hemp off paceman Melvyn Betts for 23.

His dismissal signalled the start of a run bonanza for Weston and Hick who went on to add 115 in 20 overs.

Both batsmen were in confident mood and regularly peppered the boundary with a variety of sweetly-struck shots.

On-song Weston looked fully capable of securing his first century of the campaign until he offered a catch to Dominic Ostler at slip off paceman Vasbert Drakes for 74. He collected 13 fours off 83 balls.

Hick, however, continued to dominate, completing the fourth first-class century of his career against Warwickshire in 123 captivating minutes.

Once he has reached the three-figure mark he offered his first chance when he was dropped at slip by the diving Ostler off Dougie Brown.

Shortly before bad light and rain brought an early end to play, Worcestershire lost Vikram Solanki for 29. He fell attempting to pull Brown and top edged a comfortable catch to Betts at mid-on to terminate a stand of 81 in 15 overs.

Hick was then joined by David Leatherdale before the weather ended their progress at tea.

Stuart Lampitt had started the day by removing Betts for 19 after the 'Old Enemy' had resumed on 256-7.

Wicketkeeper Keith Piper, undefeated on 79, went on to compile an unbeaten 92 which included 16 fours off 149 balls.

Rain prevented a prompt start to today's proceedings.