WORCESTERSHIRE could only watch in awe as Marcus Trescothick put on a batting masterclass at New Road on a day where Somerset restored the balance in this LV= County Championship Division One match.

The former England opener effortlessly racked up his 49th career century, his sixth of the season, and became the first man to 1,500 championship runs this campaign.

The 35-year-old was never in any trouble from the County bowlers as the visitors closed on 198-0 with Trescothick 106 not out and Arul Suppiah unbeaten on 86.

Earlier in the day, Moeen Ali went on to score a career-best 158 as Worcestershire were bowled out for 488 after the 24-year-old began the second day of this match 134 not out.

Having resumed on 367-3, Worcestershire eyed securing maximum batting points for only the second time this season.

With Moeen well set and Alexei Kervezee unbeaten on 68, the New Road side were quickly four wickets down as the Holland international was trapped lbw by Charl Willoughby without adding to his overnight score.

Four soon became five as Jack Manuel, who opened his first-class career with a four, edged Alfonso Thomas to James Hildreth at slip in the fourth over of the day.

But Moeen, who reached his maiden Championship century of the season on the opening day of this game, went on to score 150 before securing his career-best and maximum batting points for Worcestershire.

However, the former England Lion went for a fine 158 when Willoughby got him to spoon one up to Suppiah at cover.

Two wickets in two balls from Moeen’s vanquisher saw off Gareth Andrew and Saeed Ajmal to leave the County 418-8.

But a fine 70-run ninth-wicket stand from Ben Scott (36) and Jack Shantry saw Worcestershire through to lunch before the on-loan wicketkeeper was lbw to Peter Trego.

The former Worcestershire second XI player wrapped up the County’s innings two balls later to leave Shantry unbeaten on 36 and the New Road men all out for a season’s highest total of 488.

But Worcestershire supporters were wondering what Trescothick would do on this pitch and the ex-England opener was quick to reply with a boundary off the final ball of the opening over as he went on to reach his century off 145 balls, hitting 17 fours.

As the Somerset skipper batted with glorious ease, Suppiah led a charmed life early on as Shantry found the edge of his bat only for the ball to fly just wide of Moeen at third slip.

Suppiah gave the home attack, bowling too many half volleys to the immovable Trescothick, a glimmer of hope as he nearly played on to his stumps a number of times but managed to see the day out.