OWAIS SHAH kept Middlesex upwardly mobile with an elegant 61 at Uxbridge yesterday, pushing Worcestershire to their fifth one-day defeat in eight games.

Worcestershire were shattered by James Hewitt's four early wickets. Only three fours were struck in their entire innings, and Philip Weston, who hit the only six, was run out in bizarre fashion when he beat Angus Fraser's direct hit, but not his second at the other end.

The pitch, though similar in looks to the four-day strip that had the bowlers despairing in the championship match, allowed the ball to dart about, and Hewitt cashed in with expert seam and swing bowling.

Middlesex always looked likely to achieve such a low total, especially with Shah and Mark Ramprakash at the crease.