Contract blow for Flintoff and Hick

13 April 2012

Graeme Hick, dropped from England's last Test team of the winter, has now slipped even further out of the picture after being overlooked for a summer contract.

Hick's absence from the list of 12 names announced at Lord's today - along with that of Andrew Flintoff - does not bar him from playing against either Pakistan or Australia.

But it is the strongest indication yet that England are ready to move on from a player who has disappointed so often during his 10-year Test career.

Hick, 34, scored just 126 runs in five Tests against Pakistan and Sri Lanka before being left out of this month's series decider in Colombo.

"I would never say that a line has been put through anybody's name," said chairman of selectors David Graveney. "Our list contains six batsmen and we have played seven at times in the past."

Even so, if England do need to reinforce their top order this summer then Hick is likely to be well down the list behind some younger candidates.

Flintoff, who this time last year was regarded as the brightest all-round prospect in the country, has paid the price for continued fitness problems. He also angered England's management by turning up for the recent one-day series in Sri Lanka with an ankle injury.

Of the side that beat Sri Lanka to register the second Test series triumph of the winter, only Robert Croft has failed to earn one of the six-month contracts, thought to be worth between £30,000 and £60,000 depending on seniority and status. Croft misses out because England are expected to play just one spinner in the seven home Tests against Pakistan and Australia - and Ashley Giles is first choice.

The likely requirement for additional pace bowlers sees Dominic Cork and Matthew Hoggard given contracts although Cork must first pass a medical and then prove his fitness for Derbyshire.

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Contract blow for Flintoff and Hick

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