PAUL Pollard became the third Worcestershire batsman to score a century in the first-class friendly against Durham University which ended in a tame draw at New Road yesterday.

The former Nottinghamshire left-hander stroked 131 as the County stacked up 631-6 declared in reply to the students' 284.

It was Worcestershire's third highest first-class score -- a tally that was also boosted by tons from Anurag Singh and Vikram Solanki.

For Singh it was his first three-figure knock for the County while Solanki's effort made him the third Worcestershire player to register a century in his first appearance as captain following Graeme Hick in 1998 and Ron Headley in 1971.

Pollard resumed on 44 and went on to complete the 15th first-class ton of his career -- his second for the County. Along the way he put on 121 in 39 overs with Nick Boulton who made a career-best 47.

Pollard eventually retired hurt with a muscular side injury which rules him out of tomorrow's Norwich Union League Division Two match against Glamorgan at Cardiff.

He cracked 13 fours off 201 balls in an inning which was followed by a career-best equalling 50 not out by Kabir Ali. It contained two sixes and six fours off 24 deliveries.

By the close the students, who trailed on first innings by 347, were 164-0 with half centuries from Michael Brown (60 not out) and James Rowe (74 not out).