Venerable run machine Graeme Hick fired a record-equalling eighth century in the 50-over game as Worcestershire beat Northants by 56 runs at Wantage Road.

The 41-year-old matched Robin Smith and Nick Knight after scoring 120 off 119 balls to lift Worcs after Phil Jaques was dismissed in the fourth over.

Hick reached his century in the 47th over and fell off the final ball of the innings in a total of 302-6.

Johann van der Wath hit three sixes in an unbeaten 45 but it was in vain.

Vikram Solanki chose to bat and after Jaques departed cheaply against his former club, the skipper was dropped in the slips.

Solanki was soon dismissed, but Northants also dropped Moeen Ali and Steven Davies, while Hick launched Richard Logan for a mammoth six back down the ground.

David Sales and Lance Klusener lifted the Northants reply with a third-wicket stand of 70, before Klusener was bowled around his legs by spinner Ali in the 27th over.

Sales despatched Gareth Batty for a huge six before he was caught and bowled, and though van der Wath launched one into the member's stand Northants came up short, and Warwickshire's victory over Scotland left them with no hope of qualifying.