Hick stuns New Zealand with double-century

Worcestershire 270 for 9 dec and 318 for 6 dec (Hick 204*) drew with New Zealanders 379 for 7 (Oram 103*) and 77 for 1
Scorecard

Graeme Hick revived memories of summers gone by, with a phenomenal assault on New Zealand's Test attack at New Road. Hick's unbeaten 204 from 204 balls ensured that Worcestershire avoided defeat on the final day of their tour game, and it gave Stephen Fleming plenty to ponder as New Zealand finalise their preparations for next week's first Test at Lord's. Fleming looked on from the dressing-room as he rested a slight groin niggle, but he would have been powerless to resist the onslaught.

At the start of the day, New Zealand had fully expected to be pushing for their first win of the tour, as Worcestershire resumed on 0 for 1, still trailing by 109 runs on first innings. But Hick, who had come to the crease when Stephen Peters fell on Sunday evening, soon forced a reassessment. He clattered eight sixes and 27 fours, with Shane Bond - the quickest of the Kiwis - being regularly pulled to the boundary. It was the 123rd century of Hick's first-class career, and his 15th double-hundred, and it was ample proof that he remains a mighty force at county level, even though he is approaching his 38th birthday.

Hick gave a solitary chance - and that didn't come until he had made 163 - when he skied a Jacob Oram no-ball to Craig McMillan at deep extra-cover. He was so dominant that his partners hardly needed to contribute. Andrew Hall was the next highest scorer with 32, while Kadeer Ali made 8 in a fourth-wicket partnership of 65.

It was a blow to New Zealand's hopes of some extra batting practice ahead of the first Test. The declaration eventually came after tea, but for Michael Papps, there was further disappointment as Mark Harrity trapped him lbw for 6. After making 1 in the first innings and a duck against British Universities, his place in the Test team is in severe jeopardy.

But the day belonged to Hick, whose return to form was especially welcome after a disappointing season in 2003, which was blighted by a broken hand. "He batted exceptionally well," said his former partner-in-crime, Tom Moody, now Worcestershire's director of cricket. "He'd threatened it with very good form so far this year, and it's good from his point of view that he's managed a big score early on.

"We all know he's got a huge appetite for runs," added Moody. "There are certainly things he personally wants to achieve. There are also things he wants to be part of with the team. We are fortunate we have got such a fine player at the top of his game."