Rain and a sudden batting slump eroded Worcestershire's position of strength in the CricInfo Championship meeting with local rivals Warwickshire at New Road.

Four wickets went down in 18 balls as the home side partly surrendered the initiative won by Graeme Hick's 113th first-class century on Thursday.

They eventually nudged into a lead of 70 on reaching 347-7 in an unbroken stand of 46 by Steve Rhodes and Stuart Lampitt, but a third day of only 90 minutes' play has reduced their chances of forcing a victory.

The weather has blighted Hick's team in their three home Championship matches this season. Five days were abandoned in draws with Sussex and Derbyshire, and now 135 overs have been lost in the first three days of this match.

It seemed that Worcestershire had created a winning position in dashing to 273 for three in 52 overs overnight, but Hick's dismissal for 124 sparked off a slump.

The former England batsman added only eight runs before hooking Vasbert Drakes straight to Dougie Brown at deep square leg, and in his next over the West Indian fast bowler flattened David Leatherdale's off stump.

There was some good news for the England management when Ashley Giles came through a nine-over spell to take two for 17. The injury-troubled spinner held a return chance from Paul Pollard and trapped Andy Bichel lbw.

Giles confirmed he was feeling no reaction from the Achilles tendon injury which kept him out for almost two months since returning from a successful winter in the Test series triumphs in Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

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