Graeme Hick

Let me declare an interest here right at the start. I am a Worcestershire supporter, and therefore, like every other Worcestershire fan am utterly convinced that Graeme Hick is the greatest batsman the world has ever seen! All right, so maybe not - there's this short Indian bloke - Sachin something...? But I do genuinely believe that Hick has had a very raw deal over the years, and that this poor, and in some cases downright shoddy, treatment, has had a significant impact on his form. I don't think that even Hick's meanest detractors would deny that he is a player of exceptional natural talent. Not in the Bradman class (who is, after all?), but ...

I feel really sorry for 'Hicky'. He has been under presure to deliver for England ever since he came into the test and one day team. I suppose the problem was that we all expected so much of him. His arrival on the County scene gave us a batsman whose devasting power and just merciless hitting destroted some teams. Naturally we thought we would be getting the 'real deal' when he was decalred 'English' and was picked for a test. He's found it tough to make the transition - but it isn't helped by the fact he's one of these players - like Ramprakash too - who when picked is told it's a 'last chance' - a couple of failures ...

I feel sorry for Graeme Hick. In the recent past he has been brought back in to test series when the pressure is on. One failure and he is back out again. It would seem in this series that there is a reversal in policy and that he is getting an extended run in the side. What people need to do is look at his test batting average since his 178 against India some five or six years ago. He averages near 40 which makes him a very useful international player. He can bowl some pretty useful offspin, as well as hold most catches that fly to him in the slips. The England management should just tell him to open his shoulders, play his natural game and dominate opposition bowlers. ...