Cricket: Flawless Hick draws level with two greats after

Worcestershire 308 Essex 10-1

IT WAS a flat track just waiting to be bullied and Graeme Hick duly obliged. The onlookers, already on edge because of the parlous position in which Essex find themselves - the spectre of Second Division championship cricket next season looms large - were treated to a shade over three hours of torment as the Worcestershire enigma cut, clipped, pulled and drove his way to the 107th hundred of his extraordinary first-class career.

The near-flawless performance brought him level with two greats of yesteryear, the Surrey opener Andrew Sandham and Colin, now Lord, Cowdrey. Whether he reaches The Master's - Sir Jack Hobbs - total of 197 depends on how long he can maintain his appetite for the game and for the runs.

He certainly feasted well enough yesterday. Too many short, wide or over- pitched deliveries allowed Hick to score at will. The only slip came when he was on 17, even then it was at best just the ghost of a chance, when he got a leading edge off the fast bowler David Thompson and the ball looped tantalisingly out of reach of the sprawling Paul Grayson.

In reality, though, his was a chanceless innings, and what must have made it all the sweeter was that it was scored under the very nose of England captain, Nasser Hussain. Hick has missed out on the main tour to South Africa, instead having to content himself with the titbit of a spot in the one-day squad for the triangular tournament involving South Africa and Zimbabwe, which will wrap things up at the end of four long months.

Hick opened his account with the first of his 17 boundaries, the last of which took him to 99. A single an over later and he was there. Four balls later, he was not. He was given out leg before, although he did appear to indicate to umpire Bob White that he had got an inside edge on to his pad.

Worcestershire must have been disappointed that they did not build more readily on the foundations laid by the Zimbabwe-born Hick, as maximum bonus points were there for the taking.

Ryan Driver, a 20-year-old Cornishman making his first Championship appearance of the season, had looked extremely competent and patient while he shared in a stand of 68 with Hick for the second wicket. Unfortunately he fell to the second great catch of the day, superbly taken high to his left by the wicketkeeper Barry Hyam.

Ryan's opening partner Elliott Wilson had earlier gone to a remarkably good catch at slip by Darren Robinson, who had to spring backwards to his left to clutch the ball and prevent it from hitting the deck.