A SUPERB century by England international Vikram Solanki steered Worcestershire to a comfortable 31-run win under the Duckworth-Lewis method on the opening day of the totesport League season at Northampton.

With the Australians touring this summer, Solanki gave the England selectors a timely reminder, scoring a blistering 119 runs from just 137 balls.

Northants, beginning their 100th season as a first-class county, invited the Royals to bat first -- a decision they would later regret as Solanki got his side off to a flyer.

Scoring his first 50 from 48 balls, including 20 runs in one over off the hapless Ben Phillips, Solanki eventually fell to Damien Wright.

With 13 fours and a six to his name, Solanki mis-timed a pull and succeeded only in picking out Martin Love at wide mid-on.

Solanki was ably supported by fellow opener Stephen Moore, who scored 36 in 63 balls, as the pair combined to put on 105 for the first wicket.

David Leatherdale and Gareth Batty produced a late flurry with the bat for the Royals as they finished on 211 for four off their 45 overs.

One man particularly happy with the opener's contribution was Worcestershire director of cricket Tom Moody.

"I can't see why he won't be in the mix for England section this summer," said Moody.

"We were very confident he was ready for the challenge of captaincy and he has had a great start. Scoring hundreds like today goes a long way to making a case for international selection."

Matt Mason picked up three wickets in a six-over burst to put Northants on the back foot. Then Leatherdale, Batty and David Wigley also got among the wickets as Northants were left wobbling on 137 for seven.