WORCESTERSHIRE legend Graeme Hick became only the eighth batsman to compile 100 hundreds for the same county in the sixth over of day two of the Liverpool Victoria County Championship match against Northamptonshire.

The 40-year-old arrived at the landmark in his 23rd season playing for the County, eight years after reaching 100 hundreds in all first-class cricket, as Worcestershire dominated their opponents.

The hosts posted an imposing 543-9 declared before skittling out Northants for just 67 and forcing them to bat again, when they made it to 76-2.

Zaheer Khan, who has now taken 48 wickets this season, almost upstaged Hick's feat with a magical opening spell that left the Northants' first innings reply in tatters.

In a devastating eight-over burst, the paceman removed Rob White and Bilal Shafayat with the fifth and sixth balls of the innings, before dismissing Usman Afzaal, captain David Sales and fellow Indian Sourav Ganguly to collect figures of 5-27.

The left-armer managed to find plenty of life in a pitch which seemed to be heavily in favour of the batsmen in Worcestershire's innings.

The day started with Hick 93 not out and he added 46 more before he was bowled by Monty Panesar. Gareth Batty followed up last week's century against Essex with an impressive 68 as the County rushed towards their declaration total.

Following Zaheer's heroics, Matt Mason (2-19) enticed ex-New Road batsman Stephen Peters into shouldering arms to one that straightened and ripped out his off-pole to leave the visitors floundering on 40-6.

Lance Klusener played across a Stuart Wedge delivery, missed it and was sent back to the pavilion for 21.

Wedge, making just his third first-class appearance, also dismissed Ben Phillips and Matt Nicholson to end with fine figures of 3-11. Phillips was trapped lbw and Nicholson edged to Hick who held a chance off Mason next ball to remove Riki Wessels.

Northants' second innings started badly again with Zaheer and Mason adding another wicket apiece.

Worcestershire's biggest championship victory stands at an innings and 308 runs against Durham in 2002, but the record books could be re-written again today.