Worcestershire began preparing for life without Graeme Hick with a solid batting display on day one of their Championship game against Warwickshire.

Skipper Vikram Solanki made 86 not out and opener Daryl Mitchell hit 79 before the Division Two leaders closed on 282-5 from 78 overs at New Road.

Warwickshire paceman Neil Carter did his best to restrict Worcestershire's progress by taking 4-67.

Carter's haul included a burst of three wickets for four runs in nine balls.

Included in his haul was the wicket of Mitchell, whose effort in combination with Solanki cheered the New Road faithful after they learned before play started that 42-year-old Hick has decided to retire from county cricket at the end of the season.

Hick was ruled out of the match due to an elbow injury, along with Worcestershire's other casualties Simon Jones (knee), Kabir Ali (back) and Matt Mason (chest).

After top-of-the-table Worcestershire won the toss, Mitchell and Stephen Moore completed a half-century stand before Moore pulled Carter to mid-on for 46.

Solanki arrived in the middle anxious to stop a run of three successive Championship ducks and soon after getting off the mark he was dropped by Darren Maddy at second slip off Chris Woakes.

Mitchell, who made 102 against Essex in his last Championship innings, continued his fine form by reaching his fifty before completing a century stand with Solanki.

The pair put on 129 in 34 overs before Mitchell, playing defensively outside his off stump, edged Carter to Ambrose.

Carter then encouraged Ben Smith to fence a catch to Tony Frost at third slip and had Moeen Ali, Hick's replacement, snapped up by wicketkeeper Tim Ambrose.

Steve Davies made 34 but was trapped leg-before by Woakes after adding 52 with Solanki, whose hopes of an opening-day century were thwarted by bad light and rain.