WORCESTERSHIRE lost one wicket for the addition of 22 runs against Leicestershire at New Road today.

Resuming on 177 for four, 228 behind the visitors' first innings total, Stephen Davies departed to David Masters after adding just four to his overnight 21.

England batsman Vikram Solanki moved patiently to 35 not out but was still left with much to do to reduce the large deficit.

The score moved on to 211 when Worcestershire suffered another setback. Solanki was caught behind off Charl Willoughby for 44.

Yesterday, Chris Gayle fired a home debut half-century.

Burning sunshine gave way to steamy overcast conditions during Worcestershire's thriving opening partnership of 75 in only 18 overs by Stephen Moore, who completed 1,000 Championship runs for the season, and newcomer Gayle.

Gayle cut and drove with Cari-bbean style to hit 11 fours in his half-century, but the change in the weather made life more difficult for the batsmen.

He said: "It's been a good day for me to start my home debut. I'd have loved to have carried on and get a score, but it did not happen."

Moore, beaten by a quicker ball from David Masters, was first to edge to Nixon and Gayle was driving when he fell to the same bowler for 51.

Ben Smith (13) emulated the manner of Gayle's dismissal for Charl Willoughby's first wicket.

Graeme Hick, recently in the worst run of his career with four successive Championship ducks, battled to find a semblance of form but was never entirely convincing in a 98-minute stay.

Extra bounce from Broad finally removed him for 38, his 13th consecutive innings without a half-century.

Worcestershire's fifth pair, Vikram Solanki (24no) and Davies (21no), were beginning to stage a recovery when the weather closed in.

Earlier, Leicestershire maintained their grip on the match, adding a further 63 to their overnight score to reach 405.