BRETT D’Oliveira scored his third County Championship Division Two century of the season as promotion-chasing Worcestershire made a strong response to Leicestershire’s 404 all out on day two at New Road.

The 25-year-old, who has been troubled by a shoulder problem, reached three figures off 153 balls with a cover drive for four off spinner Aadil Ali out of 229-3.

D’Oiveira was given excellent support by Daryl Mitchell and George Rhodes in century partnerships.

He finished unbeaten on 121 out of 270-4 from 69 overs.

Now D’Oliveira will look to help the second-placed County push on towards their next objective of maximum batting points to add to the three accrued for bowling.

He had batted down the order last week at Trent Bridge because of his shoulder setback but looked back to his fluent best after reclaiming the opening slot.

Mitchell and D’Oliveira gave the hosts early impetus to their reply with a hundred stand in 22 overs.

Mitchell, fresh from 139 not out in the win over leaders Nottinghamshire, was first to his 50 off 57 balls with nine fours.

But D’Oliveira followed soon afterwards from 69 deliveries with one six and seven fours.

A splendid catch at full stretch by Dieter Klein broke the stand on 119 as Mitchell (58) attacked spinner Callum Parkinson and miscued to deep extra cover when just four runs short of completing 11,000 for the County.

The 20-year-old left-armer struck again in his next over as the out-of-form Tom Fell was bowled for a duck.

Joe Clarke looked in good nick and produced several flowing drives.

But after making 28 he drove at Ben Raine and nicked through to Ned Eckersley who pouched a sharp head-high chance at second slip.

The County were on 161-3 still needing 94 to avoid the follow-on but Rhodes proved another staunch ally for D’Oliveira after deputising for him in the opening role at Trent Bridge.

The pair scored freely and added 109 in 27 overs until Rhodes (47) spooned a catch to mid-wicket off Parkinson in the penultimate over of the day.

Leicestershire had resumed on 325-7 and added another 79 for the remaining three wickets.

Ravichandran Ashwin ended Neil Dexter’s fine knock of 114 when he was trapped lbw after one six and 19 fours from 154 balls.

Pat Brown enjoyed his first success of the innings in the next over as Zak Chappell (48) was smartly caught at short leg by Fell.

Further resistance came via Klein (26) and Parkinson (22 not out) who put on 44 for the last wicket before the former was bowled by Ashwin.