Somerset will be hoping the weather forecasters are proved wrong on the final day of their County Championship match at Worcester.

The visitors have totally dominated the first three days at New Road despite rain ensuring that little more than half the possible overs have been bowled.

After declaring on 428-6 they reduced the hosts to 164-6, meaning Worcestershire look unlikley to pass the follow-on mark of 279. However, heavy storms this morning could crush hopes of a third successive away win.

Somerset CCC skipper Justin Langer would have gladly swapped the record he took from Sir Donald Bradman yesterday for significantly more play.

The left-hander became the highest scoring Australian first-class batsman of all time when he went from 93 to 97 with a cover drive off Matt Mason.

Langer duly completed his century to add to Marcus Trescothick's second day 142 before Craig Kieswetter smashed 59 not out en route to the declaration.

With Nottinghamshire well-placed to beat Yorkshire at Scarborough, Somerset CCC could surrender second place in Division One by tonight.

England Lions batsman Stephen Moore was the first Worcester man to go when he was adjudged leg

before wicket lunging at Charl Willoughby for seven.

Vikram Solanki (12) was the victim of a well-thought out theory as he edged David Stiff into the hands of James Hildreth at leg-slip.

Darryl Mitchell was bowled by one that kept slightly low from Andrew Caddick for 20 before Moeen Ali ambitiously tried to flick through the leg side and was opened up, edging to first slip for a 16-ball duck.

Ben Smith had batted stoically for his 38 but an uncharacteristic slash low to backward point presented Pete Trego with his wicket.

And Alfonso Thomas' second spell saw Gareth Batty feather a catch behind for four to reduce Worcester to 131-6.

Stephen Davies favours the cut and the cover drive and at times he faced a field without a man on the leg-side. But the wicketkeeper was the only man withstanding Somerset on 40 not out at the finish.

The irony was that by the 7.04pm close the weather looked set fair for another hour at least. Rules, however, are rules.

Earlier, Langer took nine balls to move from 89 not out to 97, passing Bradman's 18-year career total of 27,973.

Not many of his opponents were aware of the landmark but the crowd were well-informed and gave him a fine ovation when his cover drive beat the field.

Langer raised only his hand in acknowledgement before shaking hands with Kieswetter. He preserved the bat wave for his century after he turned Gareth Andrew off his legs.

Langer's second century of the season ended when he lobbed Matt Mason tamely to extra cover. It was appropriate that Bradman's record should be broken at Worcester. The great man batted four times at New Road. Only once did he not make 200 when he 'failed' with a mere 107.

Hildreth followed soon after Langer, bowled by Andrew for 16, and it was a surprise that Somerset did not declare soon after they achieved 400 and maximum batting points. But they continued only for Zander de Bruyn to flick Mitchell down deep backward square leg's throat.

Kieswetter made his score at a run-a-ball, hitting four sixes including one that was irretrievable as it wedged into the facia above the press box roof.