Marcus Trescothick led Somerset's charge with a powerful century on the second day of their rain-affected County Championship Division One match at Worcester.

The former England man hammered 142 as Justin Langer's men rattled up 312-3 in just 68 overs after being put in on a green pitch.

This was his 35th first-class hundred –21 have been for Somerset CCC, while 14 were in Tests. "I didn't feel in great rhythm and didn't pick up the ball as well as I wanted to but I worked hard," he said.

"We are in a good position."

Trescothick also paid tribute to his partners Arul Suppiah (47) and Justin Langer, who was 89 not out at the close.

He said. "If we can keep maintaining these sort of partnerships, it will set us up well for the rest of the season."

Marcus Trescothick is now just 21 runs short of being the first batsman to make 1,000 runs in 2009 and here he scored at such a rate that should enable Somerset CCC to declare early today.

The left-hander eventually edged Matt Mason behind, trying to run the Australian to third man having faced 201 balls and hit 27 fours.

The sixth rain break of the day ended play yesterday.

Worcestershire now look doomed to relegation but Somerset will need to work hard to take 20 wickets in the two remaining days of the match to narrow Durham's lead at the top of the table.

Early, Suppiah was dropped twice before getting out between 20 and 52 for the eighth time in 14 innings this season.

Suppiah fell leg before wicket to one that nipped back from the persevering Mason, who was easily the pick of the home attack.

Langer arrived to play more fluently than he has since May, getting off the mark with a cover-driven four off former Somerset man Gareth Andrew.

There were three fours to third man but the Australian duly compiled a first fifty in 11 Championship innings from 67 balls with seven fours.

Big-hitting Trescothick ruined Mason's figures as his final three overs went for 35.

After Marcus Trescothick fell in the penultimate over, Pete Trego was sent in to maintain the scoring rate but skied Mitchell to extra cover for one.