Veteran batsman Graeme Hick says that he will retire from cricket at the end of the season.
Former England batsman to hang up his bat at the end of the campaign
Veteran batsman Graeme Hick says that he will retire from cricket at the end of the season.
Hick has enjoyed a prolific County Championship career with Worcestershire and has scored 136 first-class centuries.
The 42-year-old last played for England in March 2001 but on the county scene he continued to be a potent force with the bat despite his advancing years.
After making his debut in 1983 Hick scored a total of 41,112 runs in 526 matches with an average of 52.23.
"I felt it was right to finish. I had a feeling at the start of the year that it was going to be my last year.
Right decision
"I just wanted to wait until a bit later in the year just to make sure it was the right decision. I think there are guys in the dressing room who need to start playing first-team cricket and my time is up.
"A few weeks ago I was sitting at Cheltenham during the four-day game and I felt it was time to go."
Hick insisted: "It is not a physical thing. I have got this problem with my elbow at the moment which has come on from the keyhole surgery I had early in the season.
"Surprisingly, after the back injuries in the mid-1990s, in the last few years I've felt better than during that period. I don't why. Maybe the body got hardened to it more and I've trained a lot over the years.
"It is not a physical choice at the moment but, from how my body feels, it will have been harder to get through a full season next year and I felt I wouldn't want to start the year and pack up halfway through the season.
"I felt it was the right time. It was an emotional decision."
As for the future, Hick said: "I've had my first job offer today. Someone asked me if I wanted to play Minor Counties Cricket next season. I wasn't sure if they were being serious. I chuckled and moved on.
"Would I be interested in the ICL? Now I've retired, that is an opportunity that may open up. That may be an avenue I will look to pursue. I am not sure as yet.
"Have I had any offers (from the ICL)? I think just about everyone over 30 in English cricket has. We will wait and see. It is something I may pursue."
When asked what Worcestershire had meant to him, an increasingly emotional Hick said: "I can't put that into words now."
He was clearly close to tears as he left the media conference and headed straight to his car to depart the New Road ground.
