Injury robs Hick of finale

Worcestershire batsman Graeme Hick will miss his own send-off match because of injury.

The 42-year-old was due to bow out of county cricket following Worcestershire's final game of the season on Sunday, the NatWest Pro40 League play-off against Glamorgan at Cardiff.

However, he has given up hope of playing in the match after aggravating an elbow injury in the 11-run defeat to Middlesex at Kidderminster on Sunday.

Hick, also missing today’s LV County Championship clash with Middlesex, said: “Unfortunately with my elbow not being right, I didn't really enjoy the fielding side of it. I don't feel like I did my job properly on Sunday.

“I'm not 100 per cent. I made my decision as if it were mid-season and whether or not I felt I would do myself, and the rest of the guys, justice on the field.

Graeme Hick greets a fan during Worcestershire's match against Middlesex at Kidderminster today

“The decision was made without the added emotion of it being my last game."

Hick made his debut for the county in 1984 and scored 64,372 runs in all forms of cricket.

However, one thing he revealed he will not miss are the modern warm-up exercises.

He explained: "They need to be done, they're an important part of preparation – but they're an absolute bind.

“We used to sit and have a cup of tea. Damian D'Oliveira and I used to walk out, he'd have a fag, and we’d have a few throw downs, have a few slip catches and walk back in. That was it.

“Nowadays it's all laps and cones."

While Hick is happy with his achievements at club level, he harbours some regret about his form with the national team.

He added: "If I have anything that I'd like to change, it would to have been more consistent for England and to actually have a period in the side when I wasn't dropped.

“In the end I was in and out of the side every year.”