Worcs hopeful over Hick

Graeme Hick © Getty Images

Buy this photo

Graeme Hick is set to return to the Worcestershire side to face Gloucestershire in Division Two of the LV County Championship.

The 41-year-old former England batsman is recovering well from keyhole surgery on an elbow and is hopeful he will feature, possibly in place of Moeen Ali.

Seamer Kabir Ali is also optimistic of taking part following a sore hamstring which has kept him out of action recently.

Simon Jones looks set to make his second championship appearance for Worcestershire after taking five wickets in Sunday’s Friends Provident Trophy win over Hampshire.

The former England pace bowler replaces Chris Whelan in the 12-man squad.

Worcestershire are still without fast bowler Matt Mason, who has recovered from a shoulder injury but picked up a slight groin strain against Loughborough UCCE.

Young paceman Mehraj Ahmed suffered a minor side strain in the same match and is another absentee.

Gloucestershire hope to welcome back captain Jon Lewis, who sat out Sunday’s Friends Provident Trophy victory over Somerset as a precaution after complaining of soreness in his groin.

He has undergone intensive treatment this week and is expected to be fit for the trip to New Road.