JOE Clarke took satisfaction from completing his fifth century of the season for Worcestershire in the Specsavers County Championship in what he felt were challenging batting conditions.

Clarke hit an unbeaten 117 out of 255-6 from 92 overs with skipper Daryl Mitchell also scoring an impressive 67 and completing 1,000 first class runs for the summer after the home side were asked to bat.

The third wicket pair put on 109 in 36 overs.

Clarke said: "It was quite difficult out there. It meant a lot (to get a hundred) because we've been struggling a little bit with the bat.

"In the last few weeks, we haven't been getting the scores we would have liked and to be there at the end is very pleasing.

"The pitch is very slow and a very tough wicket to start on. Once you get in, it is a lot easier but to start with it is very tough.

"It has got a little bit more pace in it now but this morning it was very slow and credit to Mitch (Daryl Mitchell).

"He did a fantastic job in getting us through that period and I'm sure he is disappointed not to go on and get a big score himself."

Clarke was delighted to clock up his fifth hundred in the competition but said: "I have quite high expectations and this was the minimum for me really. I had a goal of getting 1,000 Championship runs as a minimum really.

"I was quite happy to reset my targets last week and thought this was an opportunity for me not just to get 1,000, but to try and reach 1,150 or wherever I go tomorrow. I'm very happy."

In terms of Worcestershire's goals for the second day, Clarke said: "We bat all the way down and everyone is capable of scoring runs and the next two (Joe Leach and Ed Barnard) are capable of scoring big runs.

"A score of 300 is a minimum. We want to get a big score and let our bowlers do their work on that wicket and hopefully get some rewards and finish the season off well."