VIKRAM Solanki came to Wor-cestershire's rescue on the first dya of the Championship match against Warwickshire at Edgbaston yesterday.

Solanki, who was Worcestershire's match winner in the nine wickets success over Warwickshire at New Road last week, was again in confident form and appeared destined for another three figure score.

But one flash of impetuosity, when he was on 71, cost him his wicket and resulted in Worcestershire tailing off to a first innings total of 263.

The growing class of Solanki is not in question and he could rightly be annoyed with himself for not cashing in on what was a good batting wicket against a Warwickshire attack which was not particularly hostile.

Solanki's downfall occured when he carelessly lashed at a short delivery from South African pace bowler Allan Donald and was caught behind by Keith Piper.

Earlier Worcesteshire had given themselves a good start with their first half-century opening stand in 12 innings between Phil Weston (23) and Elliott Wilson (34).

But both were dismissed within a short time of each other and it was left to a third wicket stand of 90 between Solanki and David Lether-dale (42) to rescue the County.

Only skipper Steve Rhodes with an unbeaten 39 of the lower order batsmen displayed any positive ideas and Warwickshire were happy to dismiss them for 263.

Glenn McGrath was unlucky not to make immediate inroads, but Mark Wagh and Mike Powell saw their side to 28-0 by the close.