TEA UPDATE: Centurion Shane Watson was dismissed shortly after lunch, but his colleagues continued to pile on the runs at New Road.

The opener was caught on the square-leg fence by Jack Shantry as he aimed a slog sweep at Moeen Ali's off-spin for 109.

However, Chris Rogers moved onto 75, before he was caught off a leading edge by Alexei Kervezee at cover off Shantry to make it 207-2.

Captain Michael Clarke joined Ed Cowan in the middle and both batsmen moved towards 50 without trouble.

Australia took tea on 248-2 as the Worcestershire bowlers continued to toil for any kind of breakthrough.

LUNCH UPDATE: Shane Watson scored a century before lunch on the opening day of the Australians' tour game at Worcestershire.

The burly opener had no problem whatsoever with the County's bowling attack, reaching three figures off just 94 balls, hitting 14 fours and two sixes.

The Aussies reached lunch on 150-0 with Watson unbeaten on 102 and Middlesex's Chris Rogers providing good support on 43 not out.

The duo have been confirmed as Australia's opening partnership for next week's first Ashes Test at Trent Bridge and they spent some useful time together in the middle.

AUSTRALIA'S Test openers Chris Rogers and Shane Watson got an early chance to find their Ashes form after the tourists opted to bat first in their four-day match against Worcestershire at New Road.

Michael Clarke won the toss on an overcast morning and opted to hand his fellow batsmen a chance to spend some time in the middle in what is their final warm-up before the first Test against England on July 10.

Rogers and Watson have been told by new Australia coach Darren Lehmann they will play in that match, but the likes of Ed Cowan, former Worcestershire player Phil Hughes and Steven Smith will also have the opportunity to state their case.

Somerset batsman Nick Compton was making a guest appearance for the Worcestershire side in a bid to press his England claims but will have to wait for his chance.