Hick calls time on glittering career

Graeme Hick has been a colossus in county cricket for over two decades

View photo story

Worcestershire batsman Graeme Hick has announced his retirement from county cricket at the end of this season.

The Zimbabwe-born 42-year-old, who last played for England against Sri Lanka at Kandy in March 2001, was one of the most prolific and destructive batsmen of his generation and has scored 136 first-class centuries.

During a career which began in 1983, Hick has scored 41,112 runs in 526 matches at an average of 52.23, with 294 scores of 50-plus in first-class matches.

He holds Worcestershire's record for the highest score, having plundered 405 not out against Somerset in 1988.

Hick, who broke Graham Gooch’s first-class appearance record earlier this season against Somerset in a Twenty20 Cup fixture at New Road, made his England debut in 1991 against West Indies at Headingley having already amassed 57 first-class hundreds.

Over a 10-year spell with England Hick notched up 18 half-centuries and six hundreds in Tests, his highest score of 178 coming against India at Mumbai in 1993.

Hick also featured in 120 one-day internationals, scoring five hundreds at an average of 37.

England batsman Ian Bell said: “I think bowlers will be breathing a massive sigh of relief. I've certainly admired Graeme as a young player coming through and when he was in the England team I always thought he was a top player.

“He has been a great servant to Worcestershire, but I can tell you fielding against him for Warwickshire wasn't pleasant. More often than not he scored a hundred and I know there'll be bowlers all over the country that will be very satisfied to hear he's stopping.

“His whole career has been remarkable and to play for 25 years at the highest level is outstanding. He is still one of the fittest guys around and probably could still carry on if he wanted to.

“He is a great of the game and has set fantastic standards over such a long time. And for me to have been able to watch him close up out in the middle made me admire his ability even more.

"He will be held as one of the best to have played the game.”