GRAEME Hick struggled to hold back the tears after admitting “my time is up” as he announced his retirement from county cricket after 25 seasons with Worcestershire.

But the 42-year-old admitted he may be open to offers from the rebel Indian Cricket League next season.

Hick has decided to end his playing career at the end of the current campaign after 136 first-class centuries and 41,112 first-class runs, in addition to a prolific record in one-day cricket.

The former England batsman said: “I felt it was right to finish. I had a feeling at the start of the year that it was going to be my last year.

“I just wanted to wait until a bit later in the year just to make sure it was the right decision. I think there are guys in the dressing room who need to start playing first-team cricket and my time is up.

“A few weeks ago I was sitting at Cheltenham during the four-day game and I felt it was time to go.”

Hick insisted: “It is not a physical thing. I have got this problem with my elbow at the moment which has come on from the keyhole surgery I had early in the season.

“Surprisingly, after the back injuries in the mid-1990s, in the last few years I've felt better than during that period. I don't know why. Maybe the body got hardened to it more and I've trained a lot over the years.

“It is not a physical choice at the moment but, from how my body feels, it will have been harder to get through a full season next year and I felt I wouldn't want to start the year and pack up halfway through the season.

“I felt it was the right time. It was an emotional decision.”

As for the future, Hick said: "I've had my first job offer today. Someone asked me if I wanted to play Minor Counties cricket next season. I wasn't sure if they were being serious. I chuckled and moved on.

“Would I be interested in the ICL? Now I've retired, that is an opportunity that may open up. That may be an avenue I will look to pursue. I am not sure as yet.

“Have I had any offers (from the ICL)? I think just about everyone over 30 in English cricket has. We will wait and see. It is something I may pursue.”

When asked what Worcestershire had meant to him, an increasingly emotional Hick said: “I can't put that into words now.”

He was clearly close to tears as he left the media conference and headed straight to his car to depart the New Road ground.

Meanwhile, Rikki Clarke's ill-fated spell at Derbyshire is over after both parties agreed to free the player from the final year of his contract.

The move represents a remarkable turn of events after the former Surrey all-rounder signed for the county in the summer and was immediately installed as captain.

His arrival was supposed to herald a bright new era for Derbyshire but Clarke came nowhere near to reproducing the form which once earned him two England Test caps and 20 one-day international appearances and his leadership looked doomed from the outset.

Clarke, 26, resigned as skipper last month citing a chronic lack of form and his future now looks increasingly uncertain after Derbyshire confirmed the player would be leaving after less than a year.

Head of cricket John Morris said: “Things have not worked out and we wish Rikki all the best in his future career.”

Warwickshire is one potential destination for Clarke, with Edgbaston coach Ashley Giles a confirmed admirer.

Tweet