Worcestershire batsman Tom Kohler-Cadmore gave another demonstration of his potential with a superb unbeaten century in the drawn Specsavers County Championship clash with Division Two leaders Essex at New Road.

Kohler-Cadmore completed his second century in the competition off 151 balls to help Worcestershire secure maximum batting points.

Worcestershire began the day on 226 for five – still needing 76 to avoid the follow-on target of 302 and a second new ball due after eight overs of play. But Kohler-Cadmore featured in three half-century partnerships with Ben Cox, Joe Leach and Matt Henry, before skipper Daryl Mitchell declared on 411 for eight – 40 adrift on first innings – early in the afternoon session.

Essex then reached 95 for two by the early close with England Test captain Alastair Cook scoring an unbeaten 48 in his final Championship innings, before the series against Sri Lanka, to follow his first-innings ton.

Kohler-Cadmore, whose maiden Championship hundred was scored against Middlesex in the final game of last season, was unbeaten on 119 from 170 balls with two sixes and 17 fours. A draw was always likely to be on the cards after the loss of 102 overs play on the opening two days to the weather. But Worcestershire still had work to do after the loss of five wickets for 43 runs during yesterday evening’s session.

Kohler-Cadmore went to his hundred with a thick edge for four at Porter’s expense before he and the promoted Henry upped the run-rate to clinch their final batting point in the 109th over.

In reply Essex opener Nick Browne (8) fell cheaply for the second time in the game and then Moeen Ali enjoyed an elongated bowl in which he dismissed first-innings century-maker Tom Westley (20) before the two teams shook hands.