VIKRAM Solanki satisfied his hunger for first-class runs by top scoring for Worcestershire on the opening day of the Frizzell County Championship division two match against Northamptonshire at New Road.

His valuable innings of 79 helped lift Worcestershire to 236 all out in 57.3 overs.

When rain stopped play early last night Northamptonshire's reply stood at an encouraging 108-1 off 31 overs.

Worcestershire's bowlers needed to make early inroads today if the team were to avoid the prospect of facing a large first innings deficit. But early morning rain delayed a prompt start.

Determined Solanki's effort was a well deserved reward for his dedicated winter preparations for the new campaign.

County director of cricket Tom Moody explained: "He's been working very hard on his game. He went to Australia this winter and when he came back here he really put the work in.

"He is very keen to have a good first-class season to carry on from the excellent one-day season he had last year.

"He is as hungry as any member of the side and hopefully those big scores will be around the corner with the twenties, thirties and forties becoming hundreds."

Solanki began to eat up the runs after a 63-run third wicket stand spanning 16 overs between Graeme Hick (37) and Ben Smith.

On-form skipper Smith finally fell for 50 which included one six and eight fours off 86 balls. It was his fourth consecutive first-class half century.

Solanki, who brought up his half ton with a mighty six off spinner Monty Panesar, eventually came part of paceman John Blain's haul of 5-84. He was ninth out after crashing two sixes and 14 fours off 120 balls.

Paceman Ben Phillips helped speed up the County's steady decline by taking 4-45 before Northants began to ride their luck on occasions when they launched the reply.

Indeed, their Australian opener Michael Hussey must have breathed a big sigh of relief when he survived a sharp chance to Gareth Batty at third slip off paceman Nantie Hayward before getting off the mark.

It proved a costly lapse with the dangerous Hussey being unbeaten last night on 39 after putting on 57 in 19 overs with fellow opener Mark Powell.

n Alamgir Sheriyar took advantage of helpful conditions to launch his Kent career with a five-wicket haul against Sussex at Hove yesterday.

The former Worcestershire left-armer pace bowler found plenty of late movement on a slow pitch to return figures of five for 65 as the hosts were bowled out for 279.

Kent replied with a sedate 81 for three by stumps.