WARWICKSHIRE were happy to bank four points for a draw when rain at Edgbaston halted Worcestershire's bid for a fourth Championship win.

Set to make 311, the home side began with hopes of sneaking back into the top three in Division Two but struggled to 77-4 and dropped back to fifth following Gloucestershire's win against Nottinghamshire.

A high-scoring game had tilted into Worcestershire's favour with an early wicket for Andy Bichel, who surprised Michael Powell with hostile bounce, and an accurate spell of 3-12 by 21-year-old Chris Liptrot.

Appearing as first change, he bowled the former Oxford University captain off his pads for 29.

David Hemp was then lbw for eight and the England Under-19 prospect Ian Bell went for 28.

The batsmen had to play at almost every ball in eight overs in which Liptrot transformed the match of four individual centuries.

Worcestershire opener Phil Weston hit one six in anchoring his side to a declaration at 233-2. He crashed two sixes and seven fours in a 65-ball dash to 56.

Graeme Hick hardly appeared to hurry in reaching an unbeaten 41 from 52 deliveries.