Moeen Ali marked his return to Specsavers County Championship action with Worcestershire by hitting an unbeaten 42 on the opening morning against Northamptonshire at New Road.
The England all-rounder was playing his first Championship match for almost 12 months and he looked in good touch as Worcestershire reached 92-3 off 28 overs by lunch.
Moeen replaced Jack Shantry in the only change from the side which defeated Glamorgan by eight wickets.
The home were put into bat via an uncontested toss and Northants included new signing, paceman Andy Carter after injuries to Rory Kleinveldt and Ben Sanderson.
Brett D'Oliveira (5) was caught behind after he pushed forward to Mohammad Azharullah with eight on the board.
His opening partner Daryl Mitchell looked in good touch and picked up two boundaries off Nathan Buck.
Carter was greeted in spectacular fashion by Moeen who lofted his first delivery over the legside boundary for six.
The 50 partnership came up in 15 overs between Mitchell and Moeen who straight drove the returning Buck to the ropes.
But then Worcestershire lost two wickets in the space of two overs.
Mitchell (30) was lbw to Steven Crook in his second over after a partnership of 62 in 19 overs with Moeen.
Then Tom Fell (5) fell in similar fashion to Azharullah to leave Worcestershire on 75-3.
