Jack Haynes launched his comeback from injury in style with an unbeaten century for Worcestershire Seconds on day one of the Championship match with Nottinghamshire Seconds at Lady Bay Sports Club in Nottingham.
Haynes had missed the LV=Insurance County Championship match against Durham, and the opening phase of the Vitality Blast North Group programme, with an ankle setback suffered during training.
But he immediately found his touch in his first innings since the end of May and reached three figures, off 149 balls, with a pull for his 15th four, off Nottinghamshire paceman Tom Barber.
It completed back to back centuries for Haynes in the Seconds and his 165 against Lancashire Seconds at Stourport in late April had led to his recall to the first team.
Haynes came to the wicket at 55-2 and shared in half century stands with Tom Fell, Gareth Roderick and an unbroken 102 with Jacques Banton as the Seconds reached 312-5 from 96 overs by the close.
Haynes will resume tomorrow on 156 and he has struck 22 boundaries in his 214 ball knock with Banton undefeated on 34.
Worcestershire Club Captain Joe Leach, who was skippering the Seconds, opted to bat and openers Daryl Mitchell and Josh Dell made watchful progress.
They had put on 35 in 19 overs when Mitchell (13) shouldered arms to Tom Barber and was bowled.
Dell (24) departed after 20 more runs had been added when he looked to work a delivery from James Hayes to leg but was caught off a leading edge at third slip.
Haynes joined Fell and the pair saw Worcestershire through to 69-2 off 29 overs by lunch.
The pair increased the scoring rate after the interval and Haynes cut Haynes for four and hit the same bowler back down the ground for another boundary.
The third wicket partnership had added 81 in 26 overs when Fell – 40 from 97 balls with six fours – attempted to pull Hayes but only picked out fine leg.
Haynes completed his half century from 86 balls when he cut a short delivery from Ben Martindale for his seventh four.
Roderick came to the wicket and cut Toby Pettman for his first boundary.
Haynes (75 not out) and Roderick (10 not out) had advanced the total by 40 runs to 176-3 off 64 overs by tea.
A pushed drive for two by Haynes off Matthew Montgomery took him into the 90s.
The fourth wicket partnership was broken after putting on 73 in 21 overs when Roderick (21) tried to pull Barber but was caught at mid wicket.
It became 210-5 when Alex Milton (1) made room to cut and was bowled by spinner Fateh Singh.
But there was joy soon afterwards for Haynes as he went to three figures with his boundary off Barber.
The second new ball was taken immediately after 80 overs at 234-5 but Banton provided good support for Haynes and the sixth wicket pair scored freely.
Fifty three runs came from the first 10 overs with the second new ball.
Haynes produced a rare false stroke when he inside edged Toby Pettman for four when on 127 but otherwise he and Banton, who looked increasingly confident, were in complete command.
