WORCESTERSHIRE spent a worthwhile three days in Cambridge despite being unable to secure victory over the University at Fenner's last night.

At this stage of what has been a dismal, rain-affected start to the season the number one priority for the County was practice and this is just what the students gave them.

There were two useful knocks from opening batsmen Elliott Wilson who scored a half-century in each innings, for Paul Pollard and there were also signs that Vikram Solanki might at last be playing himself into some sort of form after a dreadful start.

Although the youngster, out for a duck in the first innings, failed to build a big score yesterday he gave glimpses that the touch that earned him England recognition last season might be returning.

There were also useful bowling stints from Stuart Lampitt and David Leatherdale and a lengthy work-out for paceman Alamgir Sheriyar.

It was clear the Worcestershire had one eye on practice yesterday. The University had declared overnight 145 runs behind and although Pollard went cheaply second time around, Wilson again looked in prime form making 50 before retiring with a thigh strain that did not prevent him fielding later in the day.

The decision to bat on after lunch was prompted by Solanki's presence at the wicket. But he fell soon after and it was not long before Steve Rhodes called a halt, which invited Cambridge to score an unlikely 276 to win in 146 minutes plus 20 overs.

Both Leatherdale and Lampitt picked up two quick wickets, but a half-century from Quentin Hughes consigned the match to a draw.

n Worcestershire's Glenn McGrath has been passed fit to play in Sunday's Norwich Union Division One game with Yorkshire at Headingley. He suffered a hamstring strain at Cambridge on Wednesday.