Watch highlights of day one
Tom Fell scored his second consecutive LV= County Championship hundred in an immediate tribute to his mentor, Damian D'Oliveira, who died only hours before Worcestershire’s fixture with Glamorgan at New Road.
In a partnership between two of the many graduates from D'Oliveira's academy, Fell and Tom Kohler-Cadmore – with 133 and 60 not out - put on 168 as Worcestershire recovered to reach 266 for five after early problems on a sombre morning for the county.
Prolific captain Daryl Mitchell and Moeen Ali - England's defiant century-maker in defeat by Sri Lanka on Tuesday - were dismissed in three balls from Ruaidhri Smith in his new role opening the attack because of injury to Graham Wagg.
With Richard Oliver departing for 13 on his championship debut - the former Shropshire captain snapped up by Michael Hogan - promotion-chasing Worcestershire were in trouble at 39 for three before Fell launched his rescue mission.
Now in his first summer in full-time cricket following his studies at Oxford Brookes University, the 20-year-old Hillingdon-born batsman had to wait six weeks before making his first championship appearance of the season.
After a sluggish start - with only one score above 20 in five innings - he made an impact with 124 against Leicestershire at Grace Road as Worcestershire's fourth championship win kept them one point behind Division Two leaders Hampshire.
@WorcsCCC @braddersatbbc yes! 100 for Tom Fell #COYP 198/4. pic.twitter.com/7ZLILjwao6
— Jack (@srsmithy) June 29, 2014
Having gone a week without a four-day fixture, Fell was straight back in the groove, reaching another century after a second 50 from 51 balls and hitting 20 fours before he was bowled by Hogan, who took 3-54.
His performance over 275 minutes was the good news that the county desperately wanted after the sadness of the day.
Former players - gathering for their annual reunion lunch - and the current squad were told of D'Oliveira's death shortly before the start.
Both teams wore black armbands and a minute's silence was observed before Worcestershire began their struggle against an impressively accurate Glamorgan attack.
Oliver and Mitchell both sliced catches to gully and Moeen, who was greeted by a standing ovation after his maiden Test century, top-edged a pull which was well held by Chris Cooke, running back towards backward square-leg.
Alexei Kervezee was first to help Fell in repelling Glamorgan's seamers. Their stand of 54 took Worcestershire into the afternoon session before Kervezee, on 21, edged behind for Hogan's 36th championship wicket of the season.
Fell was then joined by Kohler-Cadmore, his flatmate in Worcester, as two of the county's brightest prospects underlined D'Oliveira's legacy to the club.
Great character shown from each of the @WorcsCCC lads playing on a such a sad day.
— Gareth Andrew (@GAndrew14) June 29, 2014
With as many as seven of his academy discoveries playing in this match, chief executive David Leatherdale said: "It shows that Dolly had an eye to spot talent."
Teenager Kohler-Cadmore, who broke the Malvern College record with 1,409 runs last season, emulated Fell in improving his career-best from 56 at Leicester to 60 not out with six fours and from 153 balls.
Worcestershire director of cricket Steve Rhodes saluted Fell and Kohler-Cadmore for seeing the team through a difficult day after D'Oliveira's death.
"I have a lot of fond memories of Damian," he said.
"When we found out and told the lads, it was very tough, and through the minute's silence as well.
"Difficult at the start but the way the two lads - one 20, the other 19 - fought back with their partnership was fantastic."