County View - November

Overseas, underdone

John Westerby

October 27, 2004

Hick was resurgent in 2004 © Getty Images

The chief executive Mark Newton believes their performance may be symptomatic of a waning influence among overseas players. "There's so much movement among overseas players now that it's difficult for counties to get the same sort of commitment and loyalty from them," he says. "The standard of domestic cricket is improving and the dominance of overseas players is not so great. I think we'll see counties thinking very carefully next year about just how much their overseas players are contributing. The statistics for Bichel and Hall were not as good as we expected, nor as good as their previous performances with us."

Bichel will definitely not return to New Road next year and Hall's future with the club is in the balance. The recruitment of overseas men will be looked at with the captaincy as a full-time replacement for Ben Smith is sought following the retirement of Steve Rhodes, who stood in until the end of the season.

Player of the Year: Graeme Hick. After an indifferent 2003, back to his best with 1,589 first-class runs
High The C&G Trophy semi-final victory over Warwickshire
Low Ben Smith's abrupt resignation as captain, the first real sign of a team in trouble

This article was first published in the November issue of The Wisden Cricketer.
Click here for further details.

© The Wisden Cricketer

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Players/Umpires

Graeme Hick

Steve Rhodes

Ben Smith

Series/Tournaments

England Domestic Season

Teams

Worcestershire