Worcestershire batsman Joe Clarke provided more evidence of his blossoming talent on the final day of the LV = County Championship match with Sussex at New Road with a superb unbeaten century.
Clarke went to three figures with a cover drive for four off Chris Jordan – his 14th boundary – off 174 balls.
It was his fifth 50 plus score in the LV = CC since breaking into the team at the June after his 50 against Warwickshire, 70 versus Hampshire, 88 off the Yorkshire attack and 61 against Nottinghamshire.
But Clarke's efforts were unable to prevent Worcestershire from suffering an innings and 63 runs defeat and they now occupy ninth spot in the table.
All their attention now will be focused on the final two matches against Durham at the ICG Emirates and Middlesex at New Road in the battle to stay in the top flight.
Worcestershire resumed on 59-3 and Jordan broke through when bowling nightwatchman Charlie Morris for 12.
There was then a rain delay which led to the loss of 12 overs.
When the players returned, Sussex spinner Ashar Zaidi trapped Alex Gidman lbw for six to leave Worcestershire on 83-5.
Then in the last over before lunch Jordan struck again as Ross Whiteley went lbw for two.
Prolonged resistance came during the afternoon session as keeper Ben Cox proved an effective ally to Clarke.
Clarke went to a classy half century off 90 balls with eight boundaries and he reeled off a series of impressive looking drives.
It was Sussex seamer Ollie Robinson in spin mode who broke the stand when Cox (31) went for a slog sweep and was bowled.
Ashar Zaidi claimed his third wicket as Joe Leach (7) became the fourth lbw victim of the innings.
When Shantry (13) was given out lbw to Luke Wells, Clarke still needed three runs to get to his hundred.
That milestone was reached via a scorching cover drive for four off Jordan. He finished unbeaten on 104 after last man Saeed Ajmal (9) was bowled by Steve Magoffin.
