BBC SPORT | Cricket | Counties | Worcestershire

Worcestershire have announced that former England batsman Graeme Hick has been sacked as county captain.

The club were close to honours last season but were thwarted in their drive for promotion to division one in the County Championship with a fourth-place finish.

However, chief executive Mark Newton told BBC Sport Online that the decision had nothing to do with results.

"It's what we think is best for the future of the club," he said.

"We want to get the best out of Graeme in the two years left on his contract.

"And we felt that the best way to do that was for him to concentrate on scoring stacks and stacks of runs."

Newton admitted that the club had no replacement lined up to take the captaincy at this time.

Graeme Hick watches the ball against Sri Lanka
Hick last played in Tests against Sri Lanka in 2001
In the one-day competitions Worcestershire came second in the National League, reached the semi-final of the B&H Cup, the quarter final of the C&G Trophy

A clearly hurt Hick has released his own statement saying: "I was particularly proud that 2002 was one of our best seasons for years and, building on that solid groundwork.

"Therefore, I was surprised and disappointed to be told so soon after the close of the season that my services were no longer required.

"And at no time did I have the opportunity to express my ideas as captain to the committee.

"When I received the call informing me that a decision had already been made its abruptness came as something of a shock."

Hick has scored more first-class runs than any other current player in a 18-year career at Worcestershire, hitting 121 centuries in 440 matches.


	Links to more Worcestershire stories