AZHAR Ali demonstrated all his class and experience with a terrific century to help Worcestershire claim a draw with Sussex at New Road on Sunday. 

Ali batted throughout the final day, an innings spanning more than six hours and 279 deliveries, to pull The Pears over the line despite yet another incredible performance from Sussex and England seam bowler Ollie Robinson. 

The 29-year-old followed up his 7-59 in Worcestershire's first innings with 7-58 in the second innings, taking his overall match figures to 14-117.

But it was not enough for Sussex to claim victory as Ali proved a nut too tough to crack, with Adam Hose (41) also providing useful runs. 

READ MORE: Reaction: Azhar Ali relished Robinson battle in Worcestershire-Sussex draw

With day three being washed out due to rain, the draw was always a likely result but the home side resumed on 34/1 - 77 runs behind - when play began on Sunday, following Cheteshwar Pujara's 136 for Sussex on day two. 

Robinson had taken seven wickets in the first innings and the England pace bowler again posed the biggest threat.

Ed Pollock (17) pushed forward to a delivery which nipped away from him and Australian Steve Smith held onto a chance at second slip.

Jack Haynes (7) went for a drive and edged Robinson through to keeper Ollie Carter.

Hose, who had scored his maiden fifty for the club in the first innings, was quickly into his stride with cover drive and on drives for four at Sean Hunt’s expense.

Azhar demonstrated all his know-how to combat the Sussex attack and he and Hose gradually upped the tempo and posted a half-century stand in 15 overs.

Azhar completed an excellent 151 ball fifty after lunch when he cover-drove Fynn Hudson-Prentice for his fifth boundary. 

Robinson picked up his fourth wicket of the innings when Hose, on 41, was lbw to a delivery angled back in. It ended a partnership of 88 in 28 overs with Azhar. 

Club Captain, Brett D’Oliveira (22), looked in good nick, flicking Henry Crocombe off his legs for four and cutting him for another boundary.

But Hudson-Prentice returned to have him caught behind at effectively 70-5.

The new ball was nine overs away when the players came out after tea and in an ideal world, Robinson would have been rested until that juncture.

But Sussex needed wickets and he was straight back into the attack and completed his five-for when Gareth Roderick (8) edged a lifter to second slip.

There was more joy for Robinson as Matthew Waite (5) felt for a ball outside the off stump and Tom Alsop at first slip did the rest and he then bowled Joe Leach.

But Josh Tongue came in to stay with Azhar until he reached three figures and eventually the two sides shook hands on a draw.