Hick has been a remarkable servant of Worcestershire cricket

Graeme Hick made history after becoming the first Worcestershire player to hit 100 centuries for the county, who took complete command against Northants.

Only seven others made 100 first-class centuries for a single county.

Having declared on 543-9, Worcs then bowled out Northants for just 67 and enforced the follow-on, with the visitors 76-2, still 400 adrift.

Zaheer Khan claimed the first five first innings wickets, including former India colleague Sourav Ganguly for two.

Hick added the seven runs he needed to reach three figures on the second morning at New Road.

The 40-year-old, a veteran of 65 Tests, made his Worcestershire debut in 1984.

He was finally dismissed for 139, bowled by Monty Panesar who took 3-211 in Worcestershire's 543-9 declared.

He said: "It was a special day for me. There's quite a lot of people who have sat here for many years and hopefully enjoyed my batting and it's been a good day for them as well.

"To get the hundredth hundred for Worcestershire here at New Road adds a bit to it."

Worcestershire's chief executive Mark Newton said: "It's quite a staggering achievement in this day and age.

We all whole heartedly congratulate him on reaching this significant landmark Steve Rhodes Worcs cricket director

"He's the only player since the War, apart from Geoff Boycott, to do it and what I find interesting is that he scored his hundreds at a very quick rate."

Hick is now at eighth place in the all-time list of century-makers with 130 first-class tons - one more than the legendary Sir Leonard Hutton.

Worcestershire's director of cricket Steve Rhodes was the first to pay tribute to his former team-mate.

TMS VIEW In the modern era it is a fantastic achievement and very unlikely to be repeated with only 16 championship games a season CS TMS: Have your say

He said: "Graeme has achieved something that not many people can dream of doing. His hundredth hundred is a true reflection of what he has done for Worcestershire County Cricket Club over the course of his career.

"We all whole heartedly congratulate him on reaching this significant landmark."

Hick may choose to retire at the end of the season. Alternatively, he admits Worcestershire may decide to dispense with his services to plan for the future.

The seven other players to score 100 centuries for their county are: JB Hobbs (Surrey, 144 centuries), CP Mead (Hampshire, 138), FE Woolley (Kent, 122), EH Hendren (Middlesex, 119), WR Hammond (Gloucestershire, 113), H Sutcliffe (Yorkshire, 112) and G Boycott (Yorkshire, 103).