Moeen Ali scored his second half century of of the game as leaders Worcestershire battled to stay in contention in the LV = County Championship match with Surrey at New Road.
The all-rounder was today awarded a central contract by the England and Wales Cricket Board.
Moeen went to his half century off just 61 balls with five fours and two sixes.
But he was dismissed shortly before lunch for 51 and Worcestershire reached the interval on 120-4 from 33 overs – still 14 runs in arrears.
Jade Dernbach broke through for the visitors when Worcestershire skipper Daryl Mitchell (3) was bowled off the inside edge working the ball to leg.
Richard Oliver looked in good form and straight drove and pulled Dernbach for boundaries.
But after making 24 he aimed a pull shot at Dernbach and was caught down the leg side by wicket-keer Gary Wilson.
Moeen twice cut Matthew Dunn for four and new batsman Tom Fell turned Stuart Meaker off his legs to the ropes.
Fell on nine was bowled by Batty through the gate to leave Worcestershire on 63-3 in the 22nd over.
Moeen swept Batty for successive sixes in an over costing 17 runs.
He went to his half century with a four through mid wicket off Batty. But in the next over Moeen swept at Batty and was adjudged lbw.
At lunch Alexei Kervezee was unbeaten on 15 and Tom Kohler-Cadmore seven.
