County Championship: Worcestershire batters enjoy fine first day at Warwickshire

Kashif Ali's previous first-class best was 93

Kashif Ali scored an accomplished maiden century as Worcestershire made a solid 316-7 against Warwickshire on the opening day of the County Championship season at Edgbaston.

Kashif struck 110 and Gareth Roderick added 68 as the visitors returned to Division One with a strong day's work.

New Warwickshire captain Alex Davies chose to bowl but, without Hasan Ali and the injured Liam Norwell, his bowling attack lacked penetration on a good batting pitch and Kashif took advantage in composed fashion with a richly deserved maiden ton.

Roderick flicked the first ball of the season to the midwicket boundary and, with Jake Libby, put 50 on the board in 12 overs as Olly Hannon-Dalby and Chris Rushworth found rhythm elusive in the strong wind.

Libby made an assured 38 before departing as he top-edged a pull to deep mid-wicket, where Danny Briggs took a fine low catch to give debutant Michael Booth his maiden first-class wicket.

Kashif batted fluently to score 39 of the first 50 added by the second-wicket pair. Roderick reached his half-century from 112 balls and Kashif followed to his from 92.

As Warwickshire went on the defensive, the second-wicket pair added 103 in 40 overs. Medium-pacers Ed Barnard and Will Rhodes made them work hardest and the latter broke through when he made Roderick edge to Rob Yates at slip.

Rob Jones settled in calmly to add 55 in 19 overs with Kashif, but tickled a leg-side catch to wicketkeeper Michael Burgess off Briggs and Adam Hose soon edged Barnard to slip.

Warwickshire's persistent bowlers were rewarded with two wickets with the second new ball. Kashif lifted Hannon-Dalby to cover and, when Brett D'Oliveira edged Rushworth behind, the first six wickets had fallen to different bowlers.

Matthew Waite's 37 restored Worcestershire's momentum and though he edged the impressive Rhodes behind just before stumps, the Pears had built a platform of promise.

Report supplied by ECB Reporters' Network.