WORCESTERSHIRE opener Stephen Moore ended his 10-month century drought as he shone for England Lions against Australia at New Road, while County colleague Steve Davies chipped in with a half-century.

Moore, 28, was in fine form against the Baggy Greens attack of Brett Lee, who went on to claim a five-wicket haul, Mitchell Johnson, Stuart Clark and Nathan Hauritz.

Having had such a poor campaign compared to last season, the South African-born star did have to rely on two big slices of good fortune before going on to score his first century since last September — a run of 42 innings in all forms of the game.

Facing his first ball of the day to Lee, he survived a big lbw appeal, despite replays showing the ball hitting the pad before the bat, while he was put down on 41 by Aussie wicketkeeper Brad Haddin after edging Clark behind.

But, given the luck the New Road batsman has endured this term, he was not going to let this chance slip by the wayside.

In front of England selectors Geoff Miller and James Whitaker, Moore gave the panel, who will name the first Ashes team on Sunday, food for thought with 120 from 176 balls.

His innings included 15 fours and two sixes before Lee brought it to an end in the 57th over.

“It couldn’t have been a better place to get my first century of the season,” Moore said.

“My heart was in my mouth for that first ball as I have had a couple of those this season but that is the way it goes. I have been given out a couple of times to those but this time it went my way.

“I have said in the past that you will be picked on form and I was surprised that I got this call. Even though I hadn’t got runs, I felt prepared for this match.

“That little bit of extra pace from Brett seemed to be the key ingredient for him and he definitely appeared to get some very late reverse swing which made the toes curl up in the boots a little bit.

“That wicket wasn’t ideal for a bowler like him but he did bowl well.

“You don’t come up against bowlers like Brett very often in county cricket so it was brilliant to go up against him.”

The Lions needed little time to wrap up Australia’s innings with Steve Harmison bowling Mike Hussey for 150 before Graham Onions had Hauritz caught at point by Joe Denly as the tourists could only add 21 to their overnight score.

Moore and Denly survived some good early bowling from Lee and Johnson and they put on 172 for the first wicket.

But then Lee, who was clocking nearly 95mph, went on to remove Denly for 66, Lions skipper Ian Bell for a first-ball duck, Worcestershire skipper Vikram Solanki for eight and Eoin Morgan.

The County’s wicketkeeper Davies hit a 63-ball half-century before falling to Marcus North shortly before the close.