Worcestershire came close to recording their first victory over a touring side this century as they went down by 15 runs to New Zealand after being challenged to score 246 in 50 overs at New Road.
Spinner Shaaiq Choudhry returned the first five wicket haul of his senior career before New Zealand declared at 275-9 in their second innings.
Tom Kohler-Cadmore demonstrated his exciting potential with a sparkling half century after rapid knocks from openers Richard Oliver and Daryl Mitchell had set a positive tone to the Worcestershire run chase.
But Worcestershire lost their last six wickets for 22 runs after being 208-4 as the Black Caps claimed the final wicket of Ed Barnard with 3.4 overs to spare.
Choudhry, on his return to first team action after recovering from a side strain, finished with 5-78 from 18 overs.
A superb 150 from Martin Guptill held the Black Caps innings together before the declaration.
New Zealand resumed this morning on 89-2 with Guptill unbeaten on 61 and Ross Taylor 13.
Choudhry struck twice in the space of three deliveries in his second over.
Taylor on 29 went for a full bloodied drive and was caught a mid on by Tom Fell.
Then the same combination broke through again when New Zealand skipper BJ Watling (0) turned the ball into the hands of Fell at leg slip.
Luke Ronchi (14) struck Choudhry for six over mid wicket but the bowler had his revenge when keeper Ben Cox took a smart legside catch.
Guptill reached his 100 out of 159-5 off 151 balls with 12 fours and two sixes.
Kervezee broke through when Mark Craig (9) was caught at short cover by yesterday's century-maker Ross Whiteley with the total on 169-6.
Choudhry continued in the attack after lunch and Matt Henry (30) holed out to Kohler-Cadmore at mid on.
His five wicket bag was completed when Doug Bracewell (8) perished to a good tumbling catch by Ed Barnard over his shoulder at mid on.
Guptill had time to complete his 150 before falling to a catch by Kohler-Cadmore running around to mid off Charlie Morris and the declaration followed shortly afterwards.
Oliver and Mitchell showed plenty of attacking intent when they launched the Worcestershire innings.
Mitchell leg glanced the first delivery from Bracewell for four and Oliver square cut and pulled the same bowler to the ropes.
Oliver cut Neil Wagner for four to bring up the 50 in the eighth over and then pulled Ben Wheeler for two boundaries.
Spinner Mark Craig's first delivery accounted for Oliver who was caught at slip by Taylor.
But Mitchell and new batsman Tom Kohler-Cadmore continued the offensive after tea.
A sweep for four by Mitchell off Craig brought up the 100 in the 17th over.
Mitchell was eventually bowled for 44 after sweeping at Craig with the total 119-2 in the 19th over.
Kohler-Cadmore produced one of the strokes of the day in straight driving Craig for four.
Tom Fell made a useful 30 before he went for an expansive drive and was bowled by Bracewell.
Kohler-Cadmore went to an excellent 50 off 65 balls with a chop for four off Bracewell – his seventh boundary.
He was dismissed for 55 after driving at Wagner and being caught behind by Ronchi.
Alex Gidman looked in good nick, pulling and twice cover-driving Wagner for boundaries before Alexei Kervezee (5) lofted Bracewell into the hands of BJ Watling at mid off.
It became 215-6 when Ross Whiteley (1) edged Craig to Taylor at slip and two runs later Ben Cox (1) attempted to slog sweep the same bowler and was caught at short mid wicket by Guptill.
Henry collected his first wicket of the innings when Gidman (31) was caught at square leg by Bracewell at 219-8.
He wrapped up the innings by having Joe Leach (5) caught by keeper Ronchi off a skier and Ed Barnard (4) at first slip.
