Evergreen Hick still going strong

Graeme Hick adorning the cap presented to him after breaking the record

Whilst he may not admit it, Graeme Hick’s appearance for Worcestershire in their recent Twenty20 Cup clash with Somerset to break the all-time appearance record in first-class cricket was yet another defining moment in a distinguished career.

The 42-year-old, who overtook Graham Gooch’s monolithic record of 1,195 matches in the game at New Road, was typically reserved regarding the achievement.

However, of all the records he holds it could well prove that in the current climate his ongoing tally of 1,197 games is one landmark that is never surpassed.

“I wouldn’t have even known I was passing it if someone hadn’t mentioned it to me,” Hick told ecb.co.uk.

“I haven’t spoken to Graham about it. It's not the kind of record that really matters to be honest.”

It is a typical reaction from the affable and courteous Harare-born batsman, whose story is one which is both well told and entwined closely with the fortunes of England and Worcestershire since the early 90s.

Not wanting to look back, it is the present - and the waves being made by the bedding in of Twenty20 - which is foremost in Hick’s thoughts.

“I’m enjoying the competition, the games are really good fun. It's always been serious but it is getting more and more competitive all the time.

“People are changing and learning how to play the game in the best way.

“The money coming into the game is fantastic - it needed a change and Twenty20 has provided that."

Hick admits he is enjoying the principles behind Twenty20 and what it has brought to the game

When Hick burst on to the scene back in 1984 it seems unlikely he would have ever envisaged a landscape where one-off games played over three hours in front of sold-out stadia would be commonplace, but the 65-Test veteran is wholly embracing the radical modifications of recent times.

“I think it’s inevitable that things will change,” he said.

“The Twenty20 World Cup (in South Africa last year) went down so well that has brought all this money in which is great for the players.

“It's quite a short career for some, and it is not so long ago that people were leaving the game with not a lot of money.

“This is a professional sport so I hope the right decisions are made and all the positive things come from it.”

Perhaps the most radical proposal on a domestic level is the proposal of a Champions League - a $5million extravaganza that would pit sides from member countries against each other - that is soon to be ratified by the International Cricket Council and is fully supported by Hick and many other players.

“I think it's good for the countries to mix and play against each other like that. It is certainly hugely raising the profile of the game.”

It seems strange that the placid, mild-mannered Hick would back the glitz and glamour of the the fast-food version of cricket, but even the riches of the Indian Premier League have given the tall right-hander food for thought.

“I certainly would consider it if approached," he said. "I’d be interested to see what was there but as yet we’ll just wait and see.”

Hick celebrates after his 40 in the Karachi gloom helped England to a series victory in Pakistan

Waiting was a trait many of his supporters had to adopt as Hick sought to forge a career with England, and, although he played 65 Tests with an average of over 30 (coupled with a one-day average of 37 in 120 games), many still felt he did not fully justify his rare talents on the biggest stage.

It is therefore unsurprising to hear that if he could change one thing about his time in the game “it would be my consistency performing for England”.

Still, a Test career spanning a decade is still 10 years more than many can boast and there are memories for Hick that still remain prominent.

“My best innings for England was the hundred I scored against South Africa in Pretoria in 1995 (141 - he was eventually lbw to Shaun Pollock having faced 277 balls). It was my best innings but unfortunately it rained and we couldn’t get a result.”

However, it would be disappointing for his career in the international arena to detract from Hick’s achievements at county level, and a quick look over the stats tells why.

With 135 first-class hundreds and a career average of 52, Hick’s form in the domestic game can only be described as prodigious, and he has also notched 40 List A centuries from 645 games and boasts an average of 47.

With such a record behind him he has earned the right to leave the game on his terms, and few would deny Hick a dignified retirement when the time comes.

But the man himself insists he is not about to discard his whites any time soon - much to the dismay of bowlers on the county circuit, no doubt.

“I haven’t really thought about it,” he said. “I’ve been chatting with the club as to what lies ahead so we’ll just wait and see.”