Worcestershire CCC century-maker Jack Shantry scored his second first class ton – and then paid tribute to Tom Kohler-Cadmore and "unsung hero" Charlie Morris after a remarkable display of hitting at New Road.
Shantry raced to his second 50 off just 14 balls after initially playing as a foil to Kohler-Cadmore (169) in the Specsavers County Championship clash with Gloucestershire.
He brought up his century with a towering six off Craig Miles who conceded 44 runs in two overs.
Morris did not score off 21 deliveries but provided defiant resistance while 69 runs were plundered at the other end – 67 of them to Shantry and two off a no ball.
It enabled Worcestershire to recover from 34-5 to 439 all out and then Shantry took two wickets as Gloucestershire closed on 226-5.
Shantry said: "It was really pleasing toget the 400 for the team and then obviously the personal milestone.
"First and foremost Tom Kohler-Cadmore batted exceptionally well yesterday. We were 34-5 and to come back and score 400 plus was a phenomenal effort.
"We are all indebted to Tom. It was my job to stay with him first thing this morning and when he got out I had what is known in the business as a licence (to attack).
"I took my chances and swung my arms and luckily it came off.
"It hadn't been discussed but I thought it was the best thing to do to keep the game moving forward.
"I didn't want to be blocking it, just nurdling it around for two or three an over when we should be out there trying to win the match.
"As long as we were moving the ball forward and scoring at a quick rate, it was good to be out there."
Shantry added: "Charlie did a really good job. It is a difficult pitch when you first get in there.
"I started slowly yesterday and batters have found it tough early on but once you are in, it is a very good pitch so Charlie did a fantastic job.
"He will be the unsung hero tonight but he did really well. He has got a solid defence actually, hard to get past when he is at it."
Shantry hit six sixes in total plus 11 fours.
He said: "The three sixes in a row off Miles got me going. It was a short leg side boundary so I was targeting that.
"Then, with a six needed to get to 100, with long on out, I thought if the ball was in my arc I was going to keep on going.
"It came off today so I'm very, very happy."
