Daryl Mitchell and Joe Clarke powered Worcestershire to the victory that lifts them into the Specsavers County Championship Division Two promotion places as they overcame Kent by four wickets at New Road.

Mitchell scored his fourth century in the last five Championship matches as Worcestershire galloped to their 399 target and achieved the third highest most successful chase in their history with 19.1 overs to spare.

The former captain is enjoying a purple patch as he followed his 120 against Derbyshire, 161 versus Northamptonshire and 121 off the Sussex attack with another superb contribution.

Mitchell employed the cut shot to deadly effect and was seldom troubled in helping Worcestershire to chalk up their fifth win in seven Championship games this season.

He was given excellent support by Moeen Ali and then Clarke who in this game has recaptured his form with a vengeance in scoring two centuries in a Championship match for the first time in his blossoming career.

It was just the tonic the home side needed after the departure of Tom Kohler-Cadmore (to Yorkshire), two successive Campionship defeats and a Royal London One-Day Cup semi-final setback.

The game was another excellent advert for Championship cricket and see-sawed both ways before Mitchell and Co tipped the balance in Worcestershire’s favour after largely negating the threat of Pakistan wrist spinner Yasir Shah.

It was Shah who finally sent Mitchell on his way for 142 from 243 balls with 20 boundaries after a stand of 175 in 38.2 overs with Clarke.

He departed to a standing ovation all around New Road after another invaluable knock and then Clarke ensured victory with 110 not out.

Worcestershire resumed on 16-0 and openers Brett D’Oliveira and Mitchell extended their partnership to 52 before the former on 27 was bowled by a fine delivery from Darren Stevens which nipped back.

The occasional ball misbehaved off a length from the Diglish End but Mitchell and Moeen Ali were able to score freely during a stand of 112 in 22 overs.

An under-hit pull had led to Moeen’s downfall in the first innings but he profited from the stroke in reaching his half century off 47 balls.

The pair looked so much in control that it was a surprise when Moeen (63) aimed to work Shah on the leg side and was lbw to the last ball before lunch.

Clarke then joined forces with Mitchell and maintained the required tempo throughout the afternoon session.

The England Lions player had gone into this game without a Championship half century to his name this season but all his rich promise and potential returned with a vengeance.

After Mitchell’s departure, there was a slight concern for the home side as Shah struck twice more in dismissing George Rhodes (2) and Ben Cox (2).

But Clarke kept his nerve, passing three figures off 115 balls with 14 fours and a six, and some typical aggressive shots from Ross Whiteley – including two sixes – effectively sealed the win before he became Shah’s fifth victim with two runs needed.

Worcestershire Director Of Cricket Steve Rhodes praised his side from bouncing back from successive Championship defeats and the Royal London One-Day Cup semi-final setback.

He said: “A great game and obviously delighted to win. I think we should pay tribute to Joe Denly’s knock as well. It was a fantastic knock. He was very difficult to bowl at, he was very solid.

“But then that chase by us was very special, the start we got, the impetus from Dolly (Brett D’Oliveira) and Mitch (Daryl Mitchell) and Moeen (Ali) and then what was probably the match-winning stand between Mitch and Joe Clarke.

“We needed two guys to get centuries and we got that.

“Joe (Clarke) has been short of runs this season and it has hurt him and he showed his sheer determination of making the most of being in good nick.

“To get two hundreds in a game is a wonderful effort and he is definitely the man of the match.

“We did have a couple of tough games in the Championship, albeit games where we played well in spells, and no-one wants to lose in a semi-final.

“But we are mature enough to understand we are not going to go through seasons in the vein we were doing. At one stage we were just winning all the time and that doesn’t always last.

“We came up against some good teams who at times played better than us so to get back on the right tracks with a victory here was really important.

“There has been a lot of talk of the team on a high but then on a slide but hopefully that will just show people we are very determined to make sure we see the season through.”

Kent head coach Matt Walker said: “There was not a huge amount between the sides over the four days. It was a pretty even game up until the last day really.

“We fought our way back into the game really well on the third day and put ourselves intoa really good position.

“Today we just didn’t get it right. We didn’t bowl well enough unfortunately. The wicket got a lot better and we didn’t have the penetration to put enough pressure on them, especially early on to create chances.

“Mitchell and Clarke played extremely well. We are disappointed that we weren’t good enough today, probably weren’t good enough over the four days with the ball and certainly in the first innings with the bat.

“You think 400 to get on the last day is a pretty strong position to be in but, hats off to them, they played very well.”

Kent won the toss and elected to bat.

Kent side: Bell-Drummond, Dickson, Denly, Northeast, Weatherley, Stevens, Gidman, Rouse, Coles, Shah, Claydon.

Worcs side: Mitchell, D’Oliveira, Moeen Ali, Clarke, Rhodes, Cox, Whiteley, Barnard, Leach, Hastings, Tongue.

Result: Kent 260 all out & 474 all out, Worcs 336 all out & 401/6.

Worcs won by 4 wickets. Worcs 22 points, Kent 5 points.