Veteran batsman Graeme Hick described it as a dream to have been awarded an MBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours List.
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Veteran batsman Graeme Hick described it as a dream to have been awarded an MBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours List.
The 43-year-old had spent 25 years with County Championship side Worcestershire before he eventually retired at the end of last season.
A quarter of a century at new Road brought Hick 136 first class centuries, including a high score of 405, and an average of just over 52 as he remained one of the most prolific batsmen in history.
His England career was the only downside for Hick though, as he could not quite translate his undoubted talent on to the international arena - averaging 31.32 after scoring 3,083 runs in 65 Tests from 1991 to 2000 in addition to accumulating 3,846 runs in 120 ODIs at an average of 37.33.
When speaking of his delight at being awarded an MBE, Hick admitted he would have like more success with England, but insisted it was not all doom and gloom.
Honoured
"I am very honoured with the award," said Hick. "It was not something I expected or set out to achieve. You dream of things and after 25 years it is nice to have that sort of recognition.
"My international career will be a discussion that other people can go on about. I performed inconsistently I can't change what has happened.
"Of course, I would have liked to have done a little bit better but I don't think my Test career was an absolute nightmare."
Hick believes he will be the last cricketer to play for a quarter of a century particularly with the England and Wales Cricket Board contemplating making larger payments to counties who field a greater proportion of young players.
"I think once players get into their mid 30s, then maybe that bit of deadwood that is sitting in county cricket might get pushed aside for younger players."
Hick was born in Zimbabwe, then Rhodesia, in 1966, moving to England to play for Worcestershire in 1984.
Memories
He insisted he is not missing playing cricket and that many of his memories of the game are not related to his time in the middle.
"I've got it out of my system totally. I know that. Even towards the end of last season I was looking forward to retiring. I knew I'd had enough," he continued.
"What are the highlights? There are the successful times you have as a team, the friendships, and opening the new New Road pavilion last weekend, which has been named after me, is something that will stay with me for a long time.
"I take more out of the other side of cricket rather than just the cricket. It is what it gives you, the friendships, the fun, the laughter, the good side of things.
"Yes, I enjoyed my cricket, had some good times, but your memories of 25 years don't revolve around facts and figures at the end of it.
"It is being able to go always back to the ground, see the faces and friends and things like that."
Hick helped Worcestershire to win the county championship twice, the Sunday League three times, the Benson and Hedges Cup and the NatWest Trophy.
Edwards award
Charlotte Edwards, captain of England's World Cup-winning women's cricket team, has also been awarded an MBE
Edwards, 29, who was the youngest player to take the field for England when she made her international debut in 1995, said the MBE was a proud moment in her career.
"It's a huge honour and after the amazing year I have had this has topped it off perfectly," she said.
"It has been given to me for services to cricket for a number of years and I'm obviously really chuffed.
"I was completely surprised but very proud when I found out and now I'm just looking forward to trying to make it another memorable year."
