DARYL Mitchell has rocketed into the top three of the leading run-scorers in Specsavers County Championship Division One this summer.

Only Surrey’s Rory Burns and Hampshire’s James Vince have scored more top-flight runs than Mitchell.

The Badsey-born player has totalled 734 with three centuries at an average of 45.87 and a strike-rate of 51.76 per 100 balls.

It follows last season when Mitchell scored seven centuries in Division Two in helping Worcestershire to gain promotion through winning the title.

Mitchell has also faced the second most deliveries (1,418) behind Burns (1,836).

Team-mate Joe Clarke is not far behind in sixth position with 655 at an average of 43.66 and a strike-rate of 66.26.

On the bowling front, County all-rounder Ed Barnard is the joint sixth highest wicket-taker in Division One with 33 at an average of 21.87.

Worcestershire’s stunning victory over Yorkshire this week put them right in the mix to remain in the top flight.

Their haul of 24 points lifted them off the bottom of the table with the aid of Surrey’s six-run success over Lancashire at The Kia Oval.

Now only 18 points separate fourth-placed Essex, the reigning champions, and bottom-placed Lancashire.

Four of Worcestershire’s remaining five fixtures are against sides positioned between fourth and eighth.

It sets things up well for when they move across the Pennines to meet Lancashire at Southport from next Wednesday.

Worcestershire triumphed by an innings and 186 runs this week at Scarborough for the biggest winning margin over their opponents.

Mitchell scored 178 and Moeen Ali 219 as the County declared on 572-7.

England's Moeen and young bowler Dillon Pennington then helped bowl out Yorkshire for 216 and 170.