Bob Willis Trophy: Will Rhodes hits career-best as Warwickshire dominate Worcestershire

Will Rhodes' 142 not out surpassed his previous highest of 137 against Gloucestershire at Edgbaston in August 2018

Will Rhodes hit his first century since being appointed Warwickshire captain to frustrate Bob Willis Trophy Central Group leaders Worcestershire on the opening day of their derby.

The 25-year-old ended unbeaten on a career-best 142 from 263 balls with 15 fours as the Bears closed on 228-3 from 90 overs after being put into bat.

Rhodes received admirable support from Sam Hain, who found his form with 55.

They put on a second-wicket stand of 165 from 60 overs on a sluggish pitch.

Rhodes, who took over as skipper after Jeetan Patel stepped down from the role last winter, had begun this delayed season in decent form with three 40-plus scores without fully capitalising.

But he completed the sixth first-class century of his career just two balls after tea with one of his few false strokes when he edged former England Under-19 team-mate Ed Barnard to the third man boundary.

Worcestershire showed one change from the line-up which had triumphed at Northampton in midweek, with Charlie Morris replacing fellow paceman Dillon Pennington.

Warwickshire made two changes - one enforced - from the drawn home game versus Somerset with Dan Mousley and Ryan Sidebottom replacing the injured Matt Lamb and Henry Brookes.

Morris made the breakthrough when Rob Yates (2) was squared up by a delivery which he nicked through to Riki Wessels at first slip with 13 on the board.

Hain eventually fell to Ed Barnard when he flicked at a leg-side delivery and keeper Ben Cox pulled off another fine one-handed catch. And there was more joy for Worcestershire in the next over when Ian Bell failed again, driving at home skipper Joe Leach to perish to a smart catch by Ed Barnard at point.

But Rhodes, who achieved his career best with a single off Brett D'Oliveira, and Dan Mousley (18 not out) saw Warwickshire to the close without any further alarms.

Worcestershire bowling coach Alan Richardson:

"Why did we put Warwickshire in? We thought it was going to do a little bit more. It had been under the covers for just over a day, there was a little bit of grass on it, and historically that wicket has done a little bit.

"We possibly could have picked up a couple more wickets. Will Rhodes has played magnificently throughout the day and it would have been nice just to have picked him up there at mid on.

"But the boys stuck to their task really well. We've got to try and hold onto as many chances as we can because those opportunities are going to be at a premium."

Warwickshire batsman Sam Hain:

"We got put in and it's nice to be in the position we are in at the end of the day. Rhodesy played outstandingly and it's been a good day for the Bears.

"I've been feeling really good and it is just been about transferring that across into the middle. The first three games, you think 'how am I going to get myself out of it'.

"It was good to get a score and I was disappointed not to kick on. But the pitch is turgid, very slow, and we've just got to adapt to the conditions."

Match report supplied by PA Media.