Date-stamped : 17 May97 - 06:16 University Cricket: Hick plunders 91st century By David Green in The Parks First day of three: Oxford Univ (36-0) trail Worcs (359-2 dec) by 323 runs GRAEME Hick made his 91st first-class century yesterday as Worcestershire eased themselves to 359 for two against Oxford University. The batsman, who is trying to restart his England career, preferred to bat against the students rather than face the Australians at Arundel today. His unbeaten 164 came off 179 balls and included four sixes and 17 fours. Hick joined Phil Weston, who made 119, at 38 for one, after Mark Wagh had yorked Vikram Solanki. The pair were seldom troubled in a stand of 235 in 49 overs. Weston, 25 at lunch, faced 209 balls, also hitting 17 fours. The declaration put pressure on openers Roger Hudson and Byron Byrne, who made 36 without being parted. Source :: The Electronic Telegraph (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/) University Matches: Wagh`s fine example By David Green in The Parks Second day of three: Worcs (359-2 dec & 38-0) lead Oxford Univ 281-8 dec) by 116 runs OXFORD University, bolstered by determined batting from Byron Byrne, 46, Roger Hudson, 62, and captain Mark Wagh, 64, made their best score in five first-class games this season before declaring 78 runs behind. Worcestershire`s attack, lacking Phil Newport, who was rested, Richard Illingworth and Stuart Lampitt, both injured, was rarely hostile and the pitch was placid. Nevertheless, Oxford batted creditably and will have done their confidence no harm. The opening partnership of 87 between Byrne and Hudson was particularly welcome, as previous first-class starts had yielded 0, 0, 10, 4, 0, 5 and 1. Byrne, the more fluent of the two, went first, caught at long leg off a mis-timed hook. Wagh came in to play fluently, his runs occupying 2.25 hours against the 3.5 hours taken by Hudson who, having been missed at short leg on 38, was finally lbw offering no stroke to Gavin Haynes. Peter Morgan, with an unbeaten 35, supervised the addition of some useful late runs. Steve Rhodes, the Worcestershire captain, then sent in Haynes with Vikram Solanki and both played comfortably through to the close. Source :: The Electronic Telegraph (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/) Patel helps Oxford to survive By David Green in the Parks Oxford University (281-8 dec & 135-7) drew with Worcester-shire (359-2 dec & 192-6 dec) OXFORD University, set to make 271 in 162 minutes plus 20 overs, soon found themselves seven for three but when rain brought an early finish with 14.5 overs left they were still hanging on at 135 for seven. Alamgir Sheriyar took the first wicket as Roger Hudson flashed at one angled across him. Mark Wagh was bowled off pad and arm by Bobby Chapman, whose next ball bowled Charlie Lightfoot off his pads. Though Byron Byrne went cheaply the pitch remained basically easy paced. James Fulton batted positively and when deteriorating light forced Steve Rhodes to bowl his spinners, Chetan Patel struck some hearty blows. Earlier Worcestershire resumed at 38 without loss. Vikram Solanki progressed to an impressive maiden century, hitting 18 fours and three sixes in an unbeaten 128 off 133 balls. Source :: The Electronic Telegraph (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/) Contributed by The Management (help@cricinfo.com)