Gooch hails Hick achievement
Worcestershire stalwart on the brink of appearance record
Last Updated: June 19, 2008 8:10am
Hick: Set to break appearance record
Graham Gooch believes Graeme Hick will "want to go out at the top" as the Worcestershire batsman prepares to break his world appearance record in Thursday's Twenty20 Cup match with Somerset at New Road.
"But Graeme is fit, very athletic for his age still. He will know the time when to quit but, from what I've seen there is one maybe two more seasons, within his capabilities."
Graham Gooch Quotes of the week
Gooch also revealed has seen enough of 42-year-old Hick this season to predict he can play for at least two more years with the Royals.
Gooch clocked up 1,195 matches during his illustrious career spanning more than two decades but Hick will surpass that when he plays for the Royals against Somerset Sabres in the Midlands/West/Wales Division Twenty20 Cup clash.
Former England and Essex captain Gooch decided to retire in 1997 just short of his 44th birthday before people started to question whether he was still good enough to perform to a high standard.
And he feels certain Hick will have the same approach when he eventually decides to call it a day in a career which began with his Worcestershire debut in 1984.
Special gift
"I retired from Test cricket in 1995 and first-class cricket in 1997 because suddenly you are scoring a few runs but not the volume you expect of yourself," said Gooch.
"You are not getting the big scores you expect, and you suddenly realise something is not quite right, or that special gift you had is starting to leave you.
"You want to satisfy yourself you are doing your best and there is a level of performance you have to achieve. When you don't achieve that, it is time to question whether you should play on.
"I am sure at some stage that will come to Graeme as well. It is always good to go out at the top.
"It is always good to be asked 'Why did you retire' rather than people saying 'He went on too long.'
"But Graeme is fit, very athletic for his age still. He will know the time when to quit but, from what I've seen there is one maybe two more seasons, within his capabilities."
Graeme Hick
