STEPHEN Peters, one of two batsmen to reach 1,000 championship runs for Worcestershire last season, showed early form in hitting a fine 76 against Kent at Canterbury in Frizzell County Championship Division One.

It was a cautious innings, lasting three and a half hours, and included 11 boundaries as Peters steered the visitors to a reasonable total in their opening championship game of the season.

There was one chance offered in his knock, from a firm drive, which Michael Carberry, at cover, failed to hold off Amjad Khan.

Peters was on 43 then and two balls later reached his half-century from 105 balls, taking the total to 128 for two.

Former Worcestershire bowler Alamgir Sheriyar, who eventually claimed Peters' wicket, took two quick wickets, in successive overs, half-way through the second session of play and Worcestershire were 195 for five.

He had Peters playing on and James Pipe caught at first slip for 12 by James Tredwell.

Worcestershire had earlier lost three wickets after deciding to bat first. Two fell in the morning session and one shortly after lunch.

Stephen Moore (5) fell leg before wicket with just six on the board but the visitors recovered to 85 for two with a 79-run stand between Peters and Graeme Hick.

Hick was looking well set having hit 32 of his 38 runs in boundaries. He was quick to pull the short ball until Martin Saggers had him pushing forward as he opened the face of the bat and was snapped up at second slip.

On 130 Worcestershire lost the third wicket with Khan striking again. Ben Smith (eight) cut him straight to point for Carberry to claim the catch.

Seventeen more runs were added, taking the total to 212 for five, before rain stopped play with 55.5 overs bowled and tea was taken early.

Today, Vikram Solanki and Andy Bichel were approaching a half-century stand for the sixth wicket as Worcestershire reached 240-5 in the 60th over. Solanki was on 40 and Bichel eight.