'Surprised' Hick loses Worcester captaincy

Graeme Hick has expressed his "surprise and disappointment" at being relieved of the Worcestershire captaincy for next season. The 36-year-old former England batsman has captained the county for three years, leading them to the top flight of the National League last year.

Worcestershire finished second in the table this year and narrowly missed out on promotion to the top flight of the County Championship, as well as reaching the Benson and Hedges Cup semi-finals.

Hick said: "Sadly the county have asked me to relinquish the captaincy of the side, although my contract as a player continues until 2004. I was particularly proud that 2002 was one of our best seasons for years and, building on that solid groundwork, I was looking forward to leading the team in 2003.

"Therefore, I was surprised and disappointed to be told so soon after the close of the season that my services were no longer required and at no time did I have the opportunity to express my ideas as captain to the committee."

The club hope to announce Hick's replacement in the near future. Worcestershire's director of cricket Tom Moody said: "The club feel the time is right to move forward with the captaincy of the team. It is also felt this would allow Graeme to concentrate on being the county and country's leading batsman."

The former England bowler Ed Giddins has signed for Hampshire in a two-year deal. The 31-year-old moves to the Rose Bowl from the county champions Surrey.

Giddins managed only six Championship matches for Surrey last season and his 19 wickets cost 36.63. That contrasted sharply to his 30 National League victims, which came at less than 15 apiece.

Having negotiated the return of the Australian leg-spinner Shane Warne as captain for 2003, Hampshire, who were relegated from the First Division last season, will now target a second overseas player and a front-line batsman.

Leicestershire have signed the England one-day international Jeremy Snape, who has been released by Gloucestershire after four years with the club. The 29-year-old off-spinner has agreed a three-year deal with the Grace Road club.

Snape, who is due to fly to Australia later this month for England's one-day series, said: "I am excited to be joining Leicestershire. I'm young enough to make a new start and I feel I can help Leicestershire move forward."

Leicestershire, who recently re-signed the wicketkeeper Paul Nixon, have also added the former Surrey slow left-armer Rupesh Amin to their squad, on a two-year contract.