Worcestershire are waiting to see if Graeme Hick is to be awarded an ECB contract this summer before deciding whether to reappoint him as captain.

Graeme Hick Photo CricInfo

Last season Hick was on a central ECB contract for the Test series against Zimbabwe and the West Indies and was therefore only occasionally able to skipper his county side. In fact, veteran wicket-keeper Steve Rhodes led the team for two-thirds of the season.

Hick, currently in Sri Lanka with England, was made captain last season but was the only player on an ECB contract to remain as captain of his county. He had told the club that he was willing to stand down after being awarded a central contract but Worcestershire decided to retain him as skipper.

However, for the 2001 season Worcestershire will wait to see if Hick wins a central contract for the Ashes series before making an announcement.

County chairman John Elliott said: "In view of the important contribution Graeme makes to our cricket, the cricket committee is not proposing to consider the matter of captaincy at this stage.

"We will wait until we are clear where he fits into the ECB's plans for central contracts for England players for the summer's Test series.

"Nothing is lost by leaving any decision until nearer the start of the season. Graeme remains our captain until we have a better idea of his availability for this season."

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