Hick to lead legends in farewell

Hick scored over 40,000 first-class runs

Graeme Hick is set to lead out a Worcestershire team for the last time at New Road, after missing out on a big farewell when he retired last summer.

The 43-year-old will lead out a Worcestershire Legends team at New Road on Sunday, 6 September against a team of current players.

Hick says it will be great to be back on the ground he graced for 25 years.

"The whole side is made up of guys I played with, anyone else would be too old to make up the numbers," he said.

The floods of September 2008 robbed him of a final appearance on the ground as his last game for the county was played at Kidderminster.

The Legends team will be made up of other former New Road stars who appeared with Hick during his time at New Road, and will play against the current county stars.

"It will be great to catch up with people again," said the former England batsman.

"So often when you bump into mates you don't have chance to catch up.

"It will be good to get back into the dressing room, with all the banter and old tales."

Hick played over 1,000 games in all forms of cricket for Worcestershire and made 185 international appearances, and he says while it may not be an ultra-competitive game, there will be a certain amount of pride at stake.

If Kabi (Kabir Ali) is playing I'll be happy to hit him for a couple of fours, and then walk off

Former Worcestershire batsman Graeme Hick

"If you have played at the top level then you want to do well, I think if it gets too competitive we won't stand a chance as some guys have not played for months, or maybe years.

"It will be of a good standard but not too serious, and you don't want to walk out and get nought, but it's your own pride that wants you to do well and get of the mark.

"If Kabi (Kabir Ali) is playing I'll be happy to hit him for a couple of fours, and then walk off."

Hick will lead his team out of the pavilion named after him against the current county stars, and says he is happy to be a former Test cricketer these days.

"I have played a couple of games, and have realised how quickly you lose it, just batting for fun seems strange, it's the fact you are a bit rusty and you have to spend time at the crease.

"I don't miss full-time cricket, and I haven't looked back and questioned my decision.

"It's something I was lucky to do for 25 years, and it was a great opportunity I was given, and a great experience.

"You know when you have had your time, and it will be nice seeing everyone again, and we hope a few people can come along and see us make fools of ourselves.

Hick and Tim Curtis celebrate in 1988

"And come to think of it I would be happy to nick Kabi down to fine leg for four."

Among the other players who have promised to run out are former England stars Steve Rhodes, Neal Radford and Tim Curtis plus county stalwarts like Martin Weston, David Leatherdale, and Damien D'Oliveira, in all a squad of fifteen players will be involved.

Veteran paceman John Inchmore will bowl the first ball of the game, but says that will be his only action for the day.

The game in aid of Ben Smith's Benefit begins at 1400 BST, gates open at 1200, and there will be lots of other entertainment besides the cricket.

Entry is by programme at £2 for adults and £1 for children.