Samit Patel and Adam Voges both fell agonisingly short of hundreds as Nottinghamshire got their 2009 LV County Championship campaign off to a promising start.

After losing openers Mark Wagh and Bilal Shafayat cheaply in the morning session against Worcestershire, Patel and Voges compiled a 140-run partnership for the third wicket to put the hosts on top.

Patel in particular looked in terrific form, hitting 15 fours and a six, and was in sight of his 10th first-class century when he was run out for 95 by a direct hit attempting a quick single to Worcestershire skipper Vikram Solanki at mid-off.

Ali Brown was then lbw to Gareth Batty but captain Chris Read regained the initiative with an aggressive half-century in the evening session.

Voges was just one run short of his maiden hundred for Notts when he was caught down the leg-side by wicketkeeper Steven Davies off Matt Mason.

Graeme Swann maintained the momentum with three boundaries as Notts closed on 334-5, with Read 69 not out.