Overseas, underdone

Hick was resurgent in 2004 © Getty Images

On paper Worcestershire had one of the strongest overseas pairings on the circuit in Andy Bichel and Andrew Hall, both attacking all-rounders of recent international pedigree. Their performances in 2004 did not reflect this billing, however, and were a key factor in the county's relegation from Division One of the Championship. With the ball Hall took 29 wickets at 36 apiece, whereas Bichel's 33 victims cost 46 runs each. Each had his moments with the bat, notably Bichel's three centuries, but generally the overseas men punched below their weight.

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.
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