Steve Rhodes pays tribute to retiring Graeme Hick
WORCESTERSHIRE director of cricket Steve Rhodes has admitted Graeme Hick’s retirement from county cricket after 25 years will be “a tremendous loss” for the Pears.
An emotional Hick was close to tears yesterday as he confirmed his decision at a press conference at the New Road ground he has graced with his presence since 1983.
The 42-year-old has scored 136 first-class centuries, 41,112 first-class runs at an average of 52 and only Graham Gooch has scored more List A runs.
Rhodes, who played alongside Hick for nearly two decades, said: “Hicky will be a tremendous loss to us – not only with his batting abilities but also his presence in the dressing room.
“He has that experience that he gives out, has a cool head on things when we are scratching our own heads a bit.
“There is always a player like Graeme to call upon to give an opinion and we will miss all that but he is his own person and has not taken this decision lightly. It has been a tough decision for him.
“It has been a pleasure to play alongside Graeme as well as working with him as coach as well. During that period he has been the best player to have played county cricket.”
Hick said: “I felt it was right to make the decision. I had a feeling at the start of the year that it was going to be my last but I just wanted to wait until a bit later in the year just to make sure it was the right decision.
“A few weeks ago I was sat at Cheltenham during the four-day game and I felt it was time to go. It is not a physical thing and I hope to play again this season.
“Surprisingly, after the back injuries in the mid 1990s, in the last few years I’ve felt physically better than during that period.
“But I wouldn’t want to start next year and pack up halfway through the season.
“I felt it was the right time. It was an emotional decision.”
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