Joe Clarke’s fifth Specsavers County Championship century of the summer held off a disciplined Derbyshire attack on Day One at New Road.
The 24-year-old batsman was assisted by his skipper, Daryl Mitchell (67), and finished the day on 117 not out despite the best efforts of the Derbyshire attack, that contained first-class debutant Greg Cork.
After Derbyshire made use of the away side’s opportunity to field first, Tom Milnes (2-46) took two early wickets to put the visitors on top, but resolute batting by the hosts saw them close on 255-6, despite the returning Ben Cotton picking up 3-46.
In just the second over of the morning, the hosts were one wicket down without a run on the board, as Brett D’Oliveira’s middle stump was removed by the pace of Milnes.
Tom Fell came in at three for the Pears and looked to play his shots, but could only add 24 until he edged the lively Milnes to Alex Hughes at third slip as the visitors enjoyed a positive start to proceedings.
Milnes’ two victims would, however, be the only wickets of the morning session as the experienced Mitchell, who had been joined by Clarke, saw his side through to lunch on 97-2.
The afternoon session was largely dominated by the Worcestershire batsmen, with Cotton claiming the solitary wicket of the session when Mitchell was adjudged, having made 67.
Clarke had looked relatively untroubled throughout his innings and got through to his sixth first-class century of a fine summer from 200 balls, shortly after George Rhodes had nicked off to Cotton for 16 in the early stages of the evening session.
Tom Kohler-Cadmore came to the crease on the back of pairs in both of his last two Championship fixtures and took 22 balls to get off the mark. He eventually scored nine runs before being bowled by Tony Palladino.
There was to be a sixth wicket shortly before the close as Cotton picked up Ben Cox for five before Worcestershire closed on 255-6 with Clarke still unbeaten.