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Graeme Hick 'gives it a go' and WACA's Gillespie.Graeme Hick, coming in to bat on Sunday, after possibly one of his worst days on Saturday, with a second ball duck, and two catches evading his usually safe grasp, decided that as his test career was once again hanging by a thread, he would give it a go.Dismissed for 68, the highest score in a match dominated by ball, rather than bat, at slightly less than a run a ball, Hick took the attack to the Australians. This was the Hick that everyone wanted to see, the one we see frequently at county level, but very rarely at Test level. Hick pulled two sixes off Gillespie, and a four, in an over that was to cost 23, and at close of play on Sunday, had scored 42 runs, from 33 balls, in 52 mins, included 2 sixes and 4 fours. The balls sailing over 70 Yards to cross the boundary rope, emulating many that Hick has placed into the River Severn or bounced off the New Road that runs past Worcestershire's Ground. Although England lost the test, it must have created a problem for the selectors, as they're preferred choice, John Crawley, looked out of sorts. Hick having been flown in as cover for Atherton, was told he could return home, and had his bags packed and ready when they put him in for the injured Thorpe. Looking rusty, and only surviving one ball in the first innings, being out to the second. The second innings saw a different Hick, who made his intent known, with a four off the first ball he faced. |
Graeme Hick scores his 100th first class 100.
Graeme Hick is the 24th player to score 100 100's, and only Sir Donald Bradman and Denis Compton have scored it in fewer innings, only Wally Hammond was younger, and then by only 12 days.These 100's consist of:
73 for Worcestershire
10 for Northern Districts (New Zealand)
6 for England (tour matches)
4 for England (Tests)
4 for Zimbabwe
3 for Queensland (Australia)
Although only having scored (now) 5 at test level, he has a 98 no and two 96's. Although I would suggest his test career is on hold unless something astonishing happens, I think his place in the squad for the world cup is assured, after playing well in the triangular tournament matches at the end of the summer.
Now as Vice-captain of his adopted home, Worcestershire (and if he plays his cards right who would bet against him becoming Captain when Tom Moody retires?) he moves into his 32nd year, his 15th at Worcestershire, off the back of a moderately good season. Few would doubt Hick adding to his tally of nearly 45,000 runs, with many more big, powerful innnings to come.
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