Worcestershire County Cricket Club has announced that Graeme Hick will not be leading the side on the field in 2003.

Hick has captained the County for three years and has seen the team make significant progress on the field. In 2001 the side gained promotion to the First Division of the National Cricket League. In 2002 the County came second in the NCL, reached the semi-final of the B & H Cup, the quarter final of the C & G Trophy and narrowly missed out on promotion to the First Division of the Frizzell County Championship.

Commenting on the decision, Director of Cricket, Tom Moody, said, "The Club feels that the time is right to move forward with the captaincy of the team. It is also felt that this would allow Graeme to concentrate on being the County and Country's leading batsman and help the newly shaped team strive for higher honours into the future. He has already re-written many of the Club's batting records and I have no doubt many more will be written in the future. On behalf of the club I would like to thank Graeme for his commitment to the job over the past three season."

Graeme Hick has issued his own statement as follows:-

"Sadly the Worcestershire County Cricket Club have asked me to relinquish the captaincy of the side although my contract as a player continues until 2004.

I was particularly proud that 2002 was one of our best seasons for years and, building on that solid groundwork, I was looking forward to leading the team in 2003 with every prospect of achieving the promotion that narrowly eluded us this year. Therefore, I was surprised and disappointed to be told so soon after the close of the season that my services were no longer required and at no time did I have the opportunity to express my ideas as Captain to the Committee. Thus when I received the call informing me that a decision had already been made its abruptness came as something of a shock.

The 2003 season holds enormous promise. The team has worked incredibly hard and it has forged a great spirit, both of optimism and determination, which I believe will win us promotion. They deserve it! I would like to take this opportunity to thank the players for their efforts and support during my captaincy.

It has been a tremendous honour and privilege to have captained Worcestershire. I would like to have led the team to success next year and to have retired on a high note. However, that task now falls to whoever is appointed in my place. I wish him well and I shall give him all my support."

The Club hope to announce a replacement in the near future.

© Worcestershire CCC