Richardson watches as partner McMillan gets out the hook shot

New Zealand showed the value of their lower order batting as they recovered superbly from 168-5 against Worcestershire to declare on 379-7.

That gave them a 109-run first innings lead thanks to some fine strokeplay from Jacob Oram and Craig McMillan.

Oram clubbed 103 not out from 120 balls while McMillan matched his boundary count of 14 in his own innings of 86.

Shane Bond capped a fine day for the Kiwis with a wicket as Worcestershire slumped to 0-1 in their second innings.

New Zealand's innings began with an early wicket for Matt Mason, who had Michael Papps caught by Andrew Hall for one.

Stephen Fleming got stuck into a handy partnership with Mark Richardson before losing his wicket to Mark Harrity.

Then Scott Styris, who scored at a healthy rate, gave South African-born Stephen Moore a wicket with his 10th delivery in first-class cricket.

Richardson (48) and McMillan added 57 for the fourth wicket - Richardson finally falling lbw to Harrity - and the same bowler followed up with the scalp of Brendon McCullum for just four.

Richardson was the mainstay of the innings at the beginning

But when McMillan and Oram started playing their shots, it was clear that New Zealand were on course to grab a healthy advantage.

And there was even time for Daniel Vettori to hit a 43-ball 51 before departing shortly before the declaration.

Express paceman Shane Bond then had Stephen Peters caught behind in the first over of Worcestershire's second innings.

But after 2.2 overs, and with the hosts yet to score, play was called off for the day for bad light.

Worcestershire: S D Peters, S C Moore, G A Hick, A J Hall, B F Smith (Capt), Kadeer Ali, D J Pipe (Wkt), S J Rhodes, M S Mason, M N Malik, M A Harrity.