Hick has scored more first-class tons than WG Grace

Hick has managed only 787 Championship runs at an average of 32, but insists he has never contemplated retirement.

"Throughout the 20-odd years I have played, this is certainly the worst run of scores that I've had.

"But I am still working as hard as ever at my game. I've got a lot of pride in what I do," he commented.

Hick, now 39, made his Worcestershire debut in 1984 and has scored more than 38,000 first-class runs, including 127 centuries.

He reached three figures against Lancashire at the start of the summer but has struggled since then and has not made a fifty since June.

"Sometimes you can go out there and try as hard as you can and you get a good ball or, on our wickets, balls that you sometimes can't play and just walk off," said Hick.

"I've certainly no intention of retiring at the moment. I want to carry on playing as long as I am enjoying the game as I am. I've got no intention of packing in as yet.

"I've got a year left of my contract and I'll see how I feel at the end of next year," he added.