A CENTURY stand between Graeme Hick and Stuart Lampitt failed to save Worcestershire from a three-wicket defeat in the one-day clash against a World XI at New Road.

They put on 103 in 22 overs for the sixth wicket to enable the County to leave the international stars a victory target of 199 which they reached with 27 balls to spare.

Man-of-the-match Hick and Lampitt boosted Worcestershire's fortunes after they had tumbled to 56-5.

Afterwards Lampitt, who made an undefeated 65, said: "It was a difficult match early on for the batsmen because there was a little bit of dampness in the wicket.

"We lost too many wickets to their new ball, but if we could have seen it out with just two or three wickets down then we might have got about another 20 or 30 runs more at the end which would have made it interesting.

"But when you are facing bowlers up the order as good as Courtney Walsh, he can get you out with anything. We were five down early on and after that it was just a case of building from there."

Lampitt, who struck two fours off 79 balls, added: "I get myself in quite a lot, but I never seem to kick on and that's very disappointing not only for me but for the team as well. If I get a few more runs then I'm sure that would help bring about better results."

Hick's contribution contained a six and five fours off 99 balls before he became one of three victims for Sri Lankan all-rounder Chandika Hathurusinghe.

West Indian ace Walsh finished with two wickets for just three runs in seven overs.

The World XI, after a bright start to their run chase, slipped to 99-4 before a positive stand between Hathurusinghe and Phil Simmons steadied the boat with a partnership worth 77 in 21 overs.

Hathurusinghe made 44, including a six and four fours, before becoming part of spinner Matthew Rawnsley haul of 3-42.

The World XI win earned them a cheque for £750.

WORCESTERSHIRE

Spiring c Walsh b Hathurusinghe 5

Solanki c Sheikh b Small 29

Hick c Modi b Hathurusinghe 72

Haynes lbw Walsh 1

Leatherdale c Read b Walsh 0

Rhodes b Hathurusinghe 5

Lampitt not out 65

Illingworth not out 8

Extras: 13

Total (6 wkts 50 overs) 198

Fall of wickets: 1-38, 2-43, 3-44, 4-44, 5-56, 6-159.

Bowling: Lever 6-1-15-0; Small 6-0-27-1; Walsh 7-5-3-2; Hathurusinghe 9-1-40-3; Sheikh 10-1-37-0; Modi 10-0-59-0; Simmons 2-0-12-0.

WORLD XI

Shah lbw Lampitt 46

Adams c Spring b Sheriyar 8

Modi c Catterall b Rawnsley 17

Powell c Spring b Illingworth 19

Hath'snghe c Rhodes b Rawnsley 43

Simmons run out 34

Read not out 8

Sheikh b Rawnsley 12

Small out out 0

Extras: 11

Total: (7 wkts 45.3 overs) 199

Fall of wickets: 1-43, 2-71, 3-98, 4-99, 5-176, 6-180, 7-193.

Bowling: Sheriyar 6-0-31-1; Catterall 5-0-34-0; Haynes 2-0-14-0; Lampitt 5-1-23-1; Rawnsley 10-02-42-3; Illingworth 10-3-15-1; Solanki 7.3-1-34-0.