To mark the 50th anniversary of overseas players coming to county cricket in large numbers, we’ve asked an expert on each county to pick their top three for that club. Here’s Worcestershire, as selected by opening batsman and former captain Daryl Mitchell.
1. GRAEME HICK
Zimbabwe (1984-90, and 1991-2008 as UK qualified)
Not only was Graeme a great player as the records and stats make clear (31,149 first-class runs at 55 for Worcestershire, and 48,766 in total for the county across all formats) but he was also a top man and teammate.
He’s a very quiet man who led by example rather than forcing his opinions on anyone. It took me two or three years to start really tapping into his wealth of experience. As I got to know Graeme and played more first-team cricket with him, I approached him more and gathered some wonderful advice over a coffee on the balcony or over a beer in the hotel bar. I’d watched him as a kid at New Road and he was a huge influence on my career.
He made an enormous contribution to Worcestershire’s most successful period, winning back-to-back Championships in 1988 and 1989, as well as winning the Sunday League in 1987 and 1988. In 1988 he scored 1,000 runs before the end of May, including a club record 405 not out at Taunton.
2. GLENN TURNER
New Zealand (1967-82)
Turner was a big part of the Championship-winning side of 1974. He famously scored 100 runs in each session as he scored 311 not out on day one against Essex in 1982.
3. TOM MOODY
Australia (1991-99)
Tom made an instant impact at the club, playing a leading role in the cup double of 1991, and then three years later he was Man of the Match in the final when Worcestershire won the NatWest Trophy. Captained the club and also went on to be director of cricket, giving me my first contract!
