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Snape clips Hick's wings

The one-day game played at New Road, Worcester, leaves the home crowd in no doubt as to who is the main attraction.

Graeme Hick was in action before the match had even started yesterday, looking slightly bemused by the pre-match display of hawking and falconry in which he was charged to participate. As his feathered co-stars swooped in the middle distance, oblivious to the commands of their handler, Hick remained impassive, doubtless hoping that the Gloucestershire bowling would be as way ward.

Hick had to wait some time for his chance. Having won the toss and decided to bat, Worcestershire openers Paul Pollard and Reuben Spiring produced a stand of 94. Pollard announced his intentions in the first over when he cracked Mike Smith through the off side for two boundaries.

Gloucestershire captain Mark Alleyne, shouldering responsibility, then bowled a fine spell and removed both openers within two overs. He had Spiring caught by Robert Dawson at mid-on and then Pollard, on 53, caught behind by Jack Russell.

Hick, the star of the show, announced his arrival by lofting Ian Harvey for four in his first over. The highlight of his 33 was a towering straight six which crashed into the upper tier at the pavilion end, but he was well held by Kim Barnett on the rope trying to repeat the feat off the bowling of Jeremy Snape.

Worcestershire failed to build on the impressive start the openers had provided, with the last nine wickets falling for only 90 runs. Snape, the spinner, with four wickets and Martyn Ball with two cut a swathe through the Worcestershire middle order with none of the batsmen making any score of note.

The innings was wrapped up on 184 with the last ball of the allotted 45 overs when Ian Harvey clean bowled Alamgir Sheriyar.