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DIRECTOR of Cricket Tom Moody is hoping Worcestershire can get their season back on track in their County Championship Division Two match against Hampshire at the new West End ground in Southampton tomorrow. Moody said: "I don't think the guys will have

WORCESTERSHIRE'S Director of Cricket Tom Moody is urging his shell-shocked players to repair the damage caused by yesterday's grim defeat against Gloucestershire by beating Northamptonshire in tomorrow's Benson and Hedges Cup clash at Northampton. After

REUBEN Spiring and Ryan Driver are the chief candidates to replace Graeme Hick in the PPP healthcare County Championship Division Two clash with Sussex at Hove, starting tomorrow. Spiring is fit again after missing last week's victory over Middlesex,

A BUDDING Worcestershire star of the future -- that's rookie paceman Kabir Ali. And to prove it the talented 19-year-old has already turned in some impressive performances for the County this season. Birmingham-born Kabir had his first taste of top flight

BATSMAN Ryan Driver will make his NatWest Trophy debut for Worcestershire when they take on holders Gloucestershire in a third round clash at New Road tomorrow. The Truro-born 21-year-old previously played in the competition for Cornwall against Warwickshire

WORCESTERSHIRE made a disastrous start to their one-day clash against New Zealand 'A' at New Road today. They crashed to 13-3 after 22-year-old Test paceman Daryl Tuffey had ripped out Ryan Driver, Elliott Wilson and Vikram Solanki in the space of eight

WORCESTERSHIRE'S Kadeer Ali has played a starring role in helping England reach the second stage of the Under 19 World Cup in New Zealand. England take on Pakistan in their final group match in Lincoln tomorrow, having won both their matches to go through

FORMER Warwickshire pace star Allan Donald admits that his chance of playing for Worcestershire next month has come as a complete surprise. Official confirmation of his ap-pointment as a temporary replacement for Andy Bichel was due at New Road later

TABLE-topping Worcestershire Royals will be checking on opener Paul Pollard's fitness for tomorrow's Norwich Union National League Division One clash with Leicestershire Foxes at New Road. The former Nottinghamshire left-hander is battling to overcome

WORCESTERSHIRE today scotched fears that their temporary signing of South African pace ace Allan Donald could be in doubt. Donald has been lined up by the County to stand in for Andy Bichel as their overseas player for three weeks, while Bichel takes

MARTIN Morgan believes that Penzance & Newlyn will take 'a beating' tomorrow. The former Worcester Rugby Club lock will skipper the Pirates in the National One clash with the Warriors but he's not expecting an upset. Penzance have gradually improved

WORCESTERSHIRE and Warwickshire suffered in different ways with the abandonment of their County Championship Division Two clash at New Road on Saturday. Worcestershire, 70 ahead at the overnight score of 347 for seven, needed only three more runs for

TABLE-topping Worcestershire Royals hope Glenn McGrath can say a temporary farewell tomorrow with another match-winning performance. The County meet Northamptonshire Steelbacks in their floodlit Norwich Union National League Division One clash at Northampton

ALLAN Donald is scheduled to land at Heathrow Airport at 6.30am tomorrow in time to play for Worcestershire in their Benson and Hedges Cup semi-final against Essex at Chelmsford (10.45am). The pace star is in South Africa today to attend the funeral of

WORCESTERSHIRE have cleared any member of the New Road staff of being responsible for the Kabir Ali affair which led to the club having to replay their controversial NatWest Trophy tie against Gloucestershire. County members have been told of the internal

ROOKIE paceman Chris Liptrot came in for praise from Worcestershire coach Bill Athey after returning career-best figures of 6-44 in his side's nine wicket win over Warwickshire at New Road. For the 20-year-old it was the perfect way to mark his first

WORCESTERSHIRE soon lost Philip Weston after winning the toss and deciding to bat in the County Championship match against Nottinghamshire at New Road. He managed just five before driving at paceman Davis Lucas and being caught at third slip by Kevin

RECORD floods at New Road have contributed to Worcestershire County Cricket Club sinking to an overall loss of £114,618 during the past year. The figure includes a £38,187 trading deficit for last season. County members will be told officially of the

WORCESTERSHIRE'S bowling attack left Frizzell County Championship Division Two leaders Essex in serious trouble after the first day of their clash at Southend. Off-spinner Gareth Batty took 6-71, as the struggling hosts were all out for 197, with John

I WRITE at the start of another first-class cricket season. The universities, even strengthened as they now are, are not first-class. The benefit of big runs and bags of wickets against Oxford UCCE are more than outweighed by the finger injury keeping

WORCESTERSHIRE have not sampled a domestic cup quarter-final for some years now. So tomorrow's contest with Leicestershire is eagerly anticipated. It is an opportunity to lock horns with a First Division one-day side which is where, if present form continues

SOMERSET Sabres put Worcestershire Royals' Norwich Union National Lea-gue Division One title hopes to the sword by winning yesterday's top-of-the-table clash at New Road by 53 runs. The County are now two points behind leaders Somerset who gain-ed sweet

It has not been a great week for taking cricket to the less well resourced Minor County grounds such as St Austell, with Worcestershire's Cheltenham and Gloucester Trophy tie having to be switched from there to Truro because of the weather. Tony Penberthy

GRAEME Hick underlined his determination to get Worcestershire Royals back into the first division of the Norwich Union League with a match-winning innings in yesterday's five-wicket triumph over Sussex Sharks at Kidderminster. The County skipper hit

GLENN McGrath made a quick-fire breakthrough when promotion-chasing Worcestershire launched their make-or-break County Championship Division Two match with champions Northamptonshire at New Road today. The Australian pace star struck with his second delivery

WORCESTERSHIRE'S nightmare season hit rock bottom yesterday when they were relegated from the Norwich Union National League Division One following a disastrous eight wicket defeat against Kent Spitfires at New Road. After topping the table by eight points

WELL, Worcestershire's batting has delivered in the first of the consecutive Frizzell County Championship Division Two crunch matches against top- of-the-table opposition. And Vikram Solanki and Graeme Hick have been to the fore again, but what happened

WORCESTERSHIRE have released unsettled paceman Alamgir Sheriyar from his contract. Warwickshire are believed to be interested in the 26-year-old who asked to leave New Road following a disappointing season. He had two more years left to run on his contract

LAST week started with a table-topping clash with Warwickshire and this week starts in similar fashion against Middlesex albeit in a different competition. There are no slack games now and that is what having two divisions is all about. Worcestershire

WARWICKSHIRE'S Anurag Singh today emerged as a red-hot favourite to join Worcestershire in their bid to rise from the ashes of last season's bitterly disappointing campaign. County cricket committee chairman Martin Horton said he was "99 per cent" convinced

TOM Moody has vowed that Worcestershire's three one-day wins over Somerset this season will not lull his players into a false sense of security in tomorrow's Cheltenham & Gloucester Trophy quarter-final showdown at Taunton. "Complacency never comes

WORCESTERSHIRE could not prevent Dur-ham's Jon Lewis completing his century when play resumed today in the CricInfo Championship Division Two clash at the Riverside. Lewis ended yesterday 97 not out as Durham closed the first day on 215-2 and he soon

HAVING beaten their hosts in the reverse fixture the previous weekend, Malvern found Chaddesley a much more committed side in this West Midlands Division One (South) fixture. CHADDESLEY CORBETT 1, MALVERN TOWN RESERVES 1 Chaddesley dominated the opening

WORCESTERSHIRE soon lost Anurag Singh and Graeme Hick after winning the toss and deciding to bat first in there Benson and Hedges Cup clash against Northamptonshire at Kidderminster today. Both fell victim to lively paceman Darren Cousins. Paul Pollard

WORCESTERSHIRE are considering replacing Graeme Hick as captain for next season. A change is likely following Hick's absence for long periods last year because of his England commitments. County chairman John Elliott said: "Graeme is an obvious choice

MARK Davis helped Sussex to victory with a career-best return of six for 116 as Worcestershire went down by 33 runs on a turning Horsham wicket. Davis claimed four of the last six Worcestershire wickets as the visitors, chasing 327 to win, were bowled

KABIR Ali returns to first team action tomorrow when table-topping Worcestershire Royals take on Yorkshire Phoenix in a crucial Norwich Union League Division One clash at New Road (1pm). The County hope the young paceman will be firing on all cylinders

WORCESTERSHIRE will be without injured Steve Rhodes, Paul Pollard and Matthew Rawnsley for tomorrow's Cheltenham & Gloucester Trophy third round clash with Hertfordshire at Hertford. All three are continuing to receive treatment after missing Sunday's

GRAEME Hick looks set to retain his England place now that Michael Vaughan has been ruled out of the third and final Test against Pakistan which opens in Karachi tomorrow. The out-of-form County star has been told to standby for action after Vaughan failed

AUSTRALIAN newcomer Shane Lee will make his Frizzell County Championship Division Two debut for promotion-chasing Worcestershire when they open their match against Nottinghamshire at Kidderminster's Chester Road ground tomorrow. The all-rounder's inclusion

ESSEX found runs hard to come by when they resumed on 9-0 in reply to Worcestershire's 367 in the Frizzell County Championship Division Two match at New Road. Paul Grayson, on three not out overnight and Darren Robinson, with six, began against the pace

WORCESTERSHIRE are confident Shane Lee will overcome a neck injury to play in their crucial Frizzell County Championship Division Two match against promotion rivals Derbyshire which opens at Derby tomorrow. The Australian all-rounder is having intensive

KABIR Ali took 10 wickets in the match as Worcestershire wrapped up a 304-run win over Gloucestershire within three days at Bristol. After taking 5-32 in Gloucestershire's first innings, Ali posted figures of 5-34 as the home side's batting crumbled for

WORCESTERSHIRE moved up to second place in the Frizzell County Championship Division Two table with an eight-wicket win over Essex at Southend. Essex's lower order provided stubborn resistance to prolong the action. But Philip Weston and Ben Smith ensured

WORCESTERSHIRE Cricket Board opened their ECB 38 County Cup programme with a three-wicket defeat against Wales at Barnt Green. In a game reduced to 48 overs a side by rain, the Cricket Board made 209-9 with David Banks making 60 and Kabir Ali a late unbeaten

DAVID Leatherdale steered Worcestershire Royals to the top of the Norwich Union League Division Two table with a match-winning display in yesterday's five-wicket triumph over Middlesex Crusaders at New Road. The County all-rounder took 2-9 and then cracked

WORCESTERSHIRE Royals' fight for promotion from Division Two of the Norwich Union League is heading for a thrilling climax following yesterday's rain-hit game with Glamorgan at New Road. The match which was washed out after Glamorgan had made 254-6. Both

WORCESTERSHIRE coach Bill Athey praised pace bowler Alamgir Sheriyar after his weakened team had fallen as expected to Hampshire by seven wickets at Southampton. Hampshire had little difficulty in reaching the 91 they needed in their second innings but

WORCESTERSHIRE finally had to admit defeat when the opening day of their County Championship Division Two match against Sussex at New Road was washed out today without a ball being bowled. For frustrated County officials and players it was a bitterly

GRAEME Hick overcame the pain barrier of a broken thumb to seal a thrilling one-wicket victory for Worcestershire against Derbyshire in the last Frizzell County Championhip Division Two match of the season at New Road. He went out to bat at the fall of

TOM Moody's Worcestershire Royals have been knocked off the top of the Norwich Union League Division One going into tonight's title showdown against Glamorgan Dragons. Glamorgan set up a mouth-watering floodlit clash at Cardiff with a convincing nine-wicket

DIRECTOR of Cricket Tom Moody is convinced Worcestershire can bounce back from their 118-run mauling in yesterday's Cheltenham and Gloucester Trophy quarter-final at New Road. The disappointing defeat ended the County's run of six victories on the trot

WORCESTERSHIRE'S Graeme Hick jets out with England tomorrow with a clear message to the Sri Lankans: "We're determined to carry on where we left off in Pakistan." Hick was one of England's heroes when they won the third and final Test to clinch an historic

A CENTURY stand between ton-up star Philip Weston and Graeme Hick gave Worcestershire a chance of beating second-in-the-table Leicestershire in their County Championship game at New Road. In the end, however, the match drifted into a draw with the County

OPENER Philip Weston scored an unbeaten 78 as Worcestershire made a bold but unsuccessful bid to reach a daunting target of 296 in 49 overs in their rain-ravaged County Championship Division Two draw against Sussex at New Road. Skipper Graeme Hick could

STUART Lampitt has announced his retirement from county cricket at the end of this season and will take up a full-time post as Cricket Development Officer for the Worcestershire Cricket Board in October. Lampitt first played for Worcestershire in 1985

STEVE Rhodes is determined that Worcestershire won't fall prey to another giant-killing act by Herefordshire in Wednesday's Cheltenham & Gloucester Trophy fourth round clash at New Road. "If you are hot favourites for any tie you must have the attitude

A LEADING player in Herefordshire and Worcestershire's construction industry has been honoured at the first West Midlands building awards rewarding innovation and best practice. Stourport-on-Severn-based Thomas Vale Construction plc won the Training Excellence

BILAL Shafayat's maiden first-class century kept Nottinghamshire in the hunt for victory against promotion rivals Worcestershire in their Frizzell County Championship clash at Trent Bridge. While his team-mates struggled with the bat, the highly-rated

PROMOTION outsiders Worcestershire failed to make an early breakthrough after Derbyshire had won the toss and decided to bat in the Frizzell County Championship Division Two match at New Road today. Opening batsmen Andrew Gait and Luke Sutton launched

A QUIRK of fate has paired Worcestershire with the Worcestershire Cricket Board in the third round of next season's Cheltenham & Gloucester Trophy. The Board will be the home side and discussions are to take place to decide if the tie on Wednesday

The series of Worcestershire Cricket Society Winter Cricket Evenings continues on Tuesday (January 8) when the speaker will be Dr Andrew Hignell. A geography master, cricket historian, Glamorgan's official statistician and an author (a recently-published

TOM Moody today put the record straight over Worcestershire's decision to replace Graeme Hick as captain. The County's director of cricket said: "The issues surrounding the decision by the club to change direction with its captaincy have been somewhat

THERE was no place for Worcestershire's Graeme Hick when England named their 14-man one-day squad for the NatWest Series against Pakistan and Australia. Uncapped Durham batsman Paul Collingwood wins an international call-up for the first time and there

WORCESTERSHIRE'S Graeme Hick has vowed to fight to get his England Test place back. The New Road master batsman, who has been left out by England on ten previous occasions, is again captaining the County after failing to be given an ECB central contract

WORCESTERSHIRE'S Vikram Solanki helped put England 'A' in sight of victory after the third day of the Busta International Shield match against West Indies 'B' in Grenada went entirely to a pre-arranged plan. But despite finishing off on a high note by

WORCESTERSHIRE County Cricket Club today revealed a pre-tax loss of £41,000 last season. It is the third year in a row the County have announced a deficit which is down from a record loss of £114,000 in 2001. The latest financial situation is highlighted

THE rain helped Worcestershire hang on for a draw in their Second Eleven Championship match against Glamorgan at Abergavenny yesterday. Facing a victory target of 214 in 44 overs, they were 154-9 off 43.1 when the weather intervened. Glamorgan began the

DISAPPOINTING though last Wednesday's defeat against Surrey in the NatWest Trophy was, I don't think we should be too cast down. The Surrey team features 10 internationals while Worcestershire have just four. It was always going to be a tough game, with

So it's official now Glenn McGrath will be playing for Worcestershire next year. This is welcome and heartening news. It's been a long time since Worcestershire have had an imposing fast bowler and cricket lovers in the county will relish the prospect

Worcestershire made a promising start after winning the toss and deciding to bat first on the opening day of their County Championship Division Two match against promotion candidates Hampshire at New Road today. Philip Weston and Anurag Singh launched

REUBEN Spiring is aiming to shake off his 'forgotten man' tag this season - with the help of Worcestershire's second eleven. The 26-year-old batsman has launched another comeback bid after his nightmare knee injury which has needed seven operations. And

A CRIME victim has ended up in court after deciding to defend his home against burglars. John Bartholomew ordered illegal weapons from abroad to protect himself and his mother after a series of break-ins. The 25-year-old was so concerned he would be burgled

WORCESTERSHIRE will play their Cheltenham & Gloucester Trophy quarter-final against Leicestershire at New Road on Tuesday, July 24. Leicestershire booked their place in the last eight yesterday with a six-wicket win in their rain-affected fourth round

A HIGH school applying for specialist status is pleading with businesses across Worcestershire to help raise cash for its bid. The Chantry High School, Martley, is completing an application to the DfES for Technology status, which would be worth around

EDUCATION in Worcestershire could be in line for a major shake-up after Charles Clarke backed plans for a six-term school year. The Education Secretary and political heavyweight became the first government minister to endorse the radical move yesterday

SHOPKEEPERS in Droitwich are being asked to put their differences behind them at a meeting to discuss the future of the town's High Street. Droitwich Spa Association for Retail, Tourism and Services is encouraging shop owners to get together as work starts

TWO barbers who have been friends for half their lives will be swapping their scissors for the streets of London when they take part in the famous marathon. And their wives have been cooking up daily treats to ensure their training regime goes to plan

VANDALS have attacked a brand new £600,000 Worcestershire village hall - just days before its grand opening. The yobs climbed on to the roof of the community building at Areley Kings, near Stourport-on-Severn - only completed last week - and made three

A HEADTEACHER has condemned as "senseless" vandals who caused more than £1,000 of damage to his school. Staff at Swan Lane First School in Evesham discovered the adventure playground has been set alight when they arrived at work last Thursday. It had

BADSEY Flower Show is under threat and an emergency meeting has been called to discuss the future. The show has been in existence in the Vale of Evesham for nearly 120 years but this year's event scheduled for Saturday, July 24 could be the last, according

SCHOOLS across Worcestershire celebrated the joy of reading, listening and stories on World Book Day. Primary and secondary schools organised book swaps and visits by authors, while some children even dressed up as their favourite literary characters

THIS week brings the visit of Durham, not the County but the University, in its new guise as one of the six University Cricket Centres of Excellence. Twenty years ago the unknown names from Durham would have included Lord and Curtis. This year, James

WORCESTERSHIRE County Cricket Club today swooped to sign batsman Ben Smith on a three-year contract from Leicestershire. The free-scoring 29-year-old said he had decided to move to New Road for a 'new challenge.' The County's Director of Cricket Tom Moody

NOSTALGIC Droitwich residents are being invited to share their memories of Stourport Basin this weekend. Wyre Forest District Council has teamed up with British Waterways to host a Memories Day at the French Place, Stourport-on-Severn High Street, tomorrow

TELEVISION researchers are looking for potential "fakers" in Worcestershire to appear on a new series of an award-winning Channel 4 programme. The BAFTA award-winning programme Faking It, is currently in the county looking for anyone between 18-28 year

PERSHORE Town Council needs extra time to consider a request from the town's football club for another pitch. The club, which is based on the council-owned King George's Fields, has asked for an area of land behind the leisure centre to create a mini

NICK Boulton is being recalled by Worcestershire for their County Championship Division Two match against Warwickshire which opens at Edgbaston tomorrow. The 22-year-old former Somerset batsman takes over from broken toe victim Paul Pollard. Boulton has

COACH Bill Athey criticised the Gloucester Festival pitch rather than his beaten Worcestershire players after a 50-run National League First Division defeat by his old county. The former Gloucestershire batsman expressed the view that the slow wicket

GRAEME Hick illuminated floodlit New Road with a dazzling century to power Worcestershire Royals to the top of the National League Division One thanks to a nerve-jangling two-run win over Leicestershire Foxes last night. Hero Hick blasted an undefeated

GARETH Batty sent Nottinghamshire Outlaws spinning to an 81-run defeat at Trent Bridge as Worcestershire Royals claimed the Norwich Union League Division One runners-up spot. Anything other than victory for leaders Glamorgan Dragons in their clash with

WORCESTERSHIRE are on the look-out for new players with a batsman being their main priority. Their search is to be stepped up after missing out on two players they have been tracking recently. The duo have not been named but one is believed to have been

THE Chase overcame the challenge from their local rivals from Dyson Perrins CE High School to win the second challenge match for the Malvern Gazette Super 12's Trophy at Malvern Rugby Club on Saturday. DYSON PERRINS Yr7 14pts, THE CHASE Yr7 49pts The

ANDY Bichel mopped up Hampshire's last two wickets as Worcestershire took just 20 minutes on Saturday to clinch a fine 112-run victory in their County Championship Division Two match at New Road. Paceman Bichel finished with 5-62 -- his fourth five-wicket

WORCESTERSHIRE paceman Alamgir Sheriyar is likely to escape punishment after clashing with an umpire during England's 'A' tour of Bangladesh. Sheriyar remonstrated with umpire B.S. Chowdhury after an lbw appeal was turned down on the final day of their

WORCESTERSHIRE rubber-stamped their place in the quarter-finals of the Benson & Hedges Cup with a seven-wicket win over Somerset at Taunton yesterday. In a rain-affected match, Somerset made 126 for nine in 32 overs. Worcestershire then took 19 overs

WORCESTERSHIRE'S new pace ace Glenn McGrath grabbed 5-48 to help Australia beat India by an innings and 141 runs with two days to spare in the third and final Test in Sydney today. McGrath was in deadly form to finish the match with a ten-wicket haul

TRIALIST paceman Steve Ellis was the pick of Worcestershire's bowlers on the opening day of their Second Eleven Championship match against Glamorgan at Abergavenny . He grabbed 5-58 to help dismiss Glamorgan for 356 in 92.5 overs after they had been put

CHAMPAGNE corks popped as New Road yesterday as Worcestershire Royals clinched promotion to the First Division of the Norwich Union League. A 96-run victory over Essex Eagles under the Duckworth-Lewis system ensured that skipper Graeme Hick's triumphant

A STEVE Rhodes century helped Worcestershire return to the top of the County Championship Division Two following a well earned draw against Nottinghamshire at New Road. They are now two points clear of second-placed Warwickshire who have a game in hand

A VARIED and very interesting programme was held at the February meeting of Bromsberrow Gardening & Social Club, chaired by Sara-Jane Watkins, with an horticultural picture quiz organised by Graham and Jean Vaughan. There was a large number of entries

WORCESTERSHIRE are back on the road this week hoping their route will eventually lead to a coveted one-day final at Lord's. To stand any chance, however, they must overcome holders Somerset in what promises to be an intriguing Cheltenham & Gloucester

THE Women's World Day of Prayer service will be held this afternoon (Friday) at the Wyche Free church at 2pm. This year, the service has been prepared by the Christian women of Panama and its title is In Faith, Women Shape the Future. All are invited

NOTTINGHAMSHIRE made a solid start as they tried to overcome a 103-run deficit against Worcestershire in their County Championship Division Two clash at Trent Bridge. Resuming on 39-1, skipper Darren Bicknell and Australian Greg Blewett had little trouble

THE twice lucky accumulator prize in the Corse MY idea was to attack the problem of the Malvern gradient with a jazzy little French-style road train through the town centre right up the slope to St Ann's Well, plus a ski-lift/cable car from there to near

WORCESTERSHIRE begin the final week of their eventful season with leading officials piling praise on two players at contrasting stages of their New Road careers. Thirty eight year-old wicketkeeper Steve Rhodes has again been a key figure in the County

GRAEME Hick will again captain Worcestershire next season. Confirmation of his leadership was made by the County's chairman John Elliott at last night's annual meeting, He said: "He's looking forward to a great season. I sense he will do a tremendous

WORCESTERSHIRE batsman Reuben Spiring and paceman Maneer Mirza are on course to end their injury nightmares. Both have come through rigorous fitness checks and are stepping up their training programme with the rest of the County players in Portugal this

Worcestershire went to the top of the Norwich Union League Division Two with a convincing 138-run victory over Derbyshire last night. Superb batting from Philip Weston and Vikram Solanki powered Worcestershire to 288-6 from 45 overs. A depleted Derbyshire

ON Thursday, February 26, a very good bingo evening was held in Pauntley Memorial Hall at Brand Green. Mrs Dierdre Smith was the caller. An extensive raffle was held with many happy winners. Despite the cold evening there was a good attendance. The next

THE chairman of Oxenhall Parish Hall Trust is Anne Thompson, the secretary is Sylvia Wilson. The secretary and booking clerk is Jan Daines. Already events are organised for the year. They include a quiz evening on April 23, which is St George's Day, strawberry

WORCESTERSHIRE County Cricket Club today made their fourth major close-season signing by capturing giant pace bowler Matt Mason. The six feet five inch 27-year-old is from Perth in Western Australia and as an Irish passport holder qualifies to play as

GLENN McGrath will make his debut for Worcestershire in next Friday's Benson and Hedges Cup clash with Somerset at Taunton. The Australian pace star is set to arrive in this country on Tuesday when they County will be entertaining Gloucestershire in another

Frederick Delius: Arrangement for Piano 4 Hands by Peter Warlock. Noriko Ogawa and Kathryn Stott. BIS CD-1347. Born of German parentage in Bradford, Yorkshire, Frederick Delius was to become one of the great English composers. He spent much of his adult

WORCESTERSHIRE'S Director of Cricket Tom Moody today backed a decision to stage a new 20-over evening competition designed to breathe new life into the game. From next season, the Benson & Hedges Cup will be replaced by the shortened limited-overs

Last Saturday night at the village hall saw a heaving good-humoured crowd all waiting, and wanting, to enjoy themselves at the Friends of Welland ferret-racing night. Families gathered, together with friends, to enjoy the night's festivities. It began

ALL eyes will be on pace star Glenn McGrath tomorrow when he makes his high-profile debut for Worcestershire in their Benson and Hedges Cup clash with Somerset at Taunton. And New Road officials are hoping the wet weather will relent to enable the world-class

DIRECTOR of Cricket Tom Moody heaped praise on Andy Bichel and Kabir Ali after promotion-hopefuls Worcestershire wrapped up a comprehensive seven-wicket County Championship Division Two win over Gloucestershire at New Road yesterday. The pace duo put

NEW signing Stephen Peters was promoted to open the batting for Worcestershire in their Frizzell County Championship Division Two match against Northamptonshire which got under way at Northampton today. The 23-year-old former Essex batsman took over from

GLENN McGrath and Elliott Wilson are both expected to shake off hamstring injuries and play in Worcestershire Royals' Norwich Union National League Division One clash against Yorkshire Phoenix at Headingley tomorrow. Both suffered the minor setbacks in

Gloucestershire innings 71 for 4, from 18.2 overs. Worcestershire innings 70 all out from 22 overs. Worcestershire S D Peters, V S Solanki, G A Hick (capt), B F Smith, D A Leatherdale, G J Batty, A J Bichel, S J Rhodes (wkt), Kabir Ali, S R Lampitt, A

ELLIOTT Wilson is determined to learn his trade as a cricketer with Worcestershire after putting his university studies on hold. And, so far, the up-and-coming 23-year-old is passing his batting examinations for the County with flying colours as he proved

WORCESTERSHIRE coach Bill Athey believes England will have to pull out all the stops if they are to win this summer's tough five-Test series against the West Indies. "They are a formidable side and very difficult to deal with," said former England batsman

DAVID Leatherdale is on course to reach a personal milestone for the second time in his long Worcestershire career. And that's to complete 1,000 first class runs in a season -- just as he did in 1998 when he nudged past the magical figure by notching

DIRECTOR of Cricket Tom Moody believes Worcestershire can turn the tables on Gloucestershire when the sides clash in the quarter-final of the Benson and Hedges Cup. The match will take place at the County Ground, Bristol, on May 21 or 22. The likely date

WORCESTERSHIRE were on the receiving end of a family affair when Middlesex's Robin Weston cracked a fine century on the weather-hit opening day of the County Championship Division Two match at New Road. Weston, younger brother of the County's opening

WORCESTERSHIRE had to settle for a frustrating draw in their opening Second Eleven Championship match against Derbyshire at Heanor yesterday. After following on 236 behind, Derbyshire were far more solid in their second innings and closed on 481-7. They

HAVE-a-go Worcestershire faced a challenging victory target in their Frizzell County Championship Division Two match against Glamorgan at New Road today. They resumed this morning on 25-0, still needing a further 312 to come out on top. Their task was

NEW Road cricket committee chairman Martin Horton has hit out at the central contracts system for England players which severely restricted Graeme Hick's appearances for Worcestershire this season. "They have been absolute chaos," said Horton as the inquest

A TEENAGER has brought a taste of her travels to Upton with a collection of photographs currently on show at the town's library. Huskies, giraffes and pigs are among the animals captured in their natural habitat by 17-year-old Becky O'Keeffe, who works

WORCESTERSHIRE are set to draft in former South African Test star Allan Donald as a possible temporary replacement for pace ace Andy Bichel. Bichel could miss a batch of matches for the County next month because of international duties and I understand

AN American who has been called "the poetic chronicler of the AIDS plague" will be one of the big names at this year's Ledbury Poetry Festival. The poet is Mark Doty, who has published six books of poems and gained widespread acclaim with his third, My

OVERNIGHT rain prevented a prompt start to Worcestershire's Benson and Hedges Cup quarter-final showdown against Gloucestershire at Bristol today. Mopping up operations were in progress throughout the morning with umpires Nigel Cowley and Jeffrey Evans

THERE was no second chance for Worcestershire as they slipped to a five-run defeat in their replayed NatWest Trophy third round tie with Gloucestershire. The Trophy holders made full use of the reprieve they were handed when Worcestershire fielded ineligible

WORCESTERSHIRE face bitter rivals Gloucestershire tomorrow for the first time since their controversial NatWest Trophy replay with a rallying call from New Road coach Bill Athey. "We've got to fight like hell to stay at the top," he said as the County

WORCESTERSHIRE'S Andy Bichel snapped up five wickets as a revitalised Australia shot out South Africa for 106 to set up an eight-wicket victory in the Tri-Nations series. Just four Proteas batsmen managed to reach double figures as they were bundled out

WORCESTERSHIRE will have to try again tomorrow to play their Cheltenham and Gloucester Trophy third round tie against Cornwall at St Austell. Heavy rain left the pitch saturated and the umpires decided very early today to call off play for the day. But

WORCESTERSHIRE soon lost Elliott Wilson and Graeme Hick after being put in to bat by Essex in the County Championship Division Two match which opened at overcast Kidderminster today. Wilson fell for five and was rapidly followed by Hick for just one.

WORCESTERSHIRE have unveiled revised plans for the £4million Basil D'Oliveira Cricket Centre at a members forum held at the club's New Road headquarters. The meeting was told that, with the acquisition of the neighbouring Severn Bridge site, the County

WHO would you choose if asked to select 100 'greats' who have played for Worcestershire? It's a difficult task and one which is certain to provoke a vast range of candidates. Life-long County supporter Les Hatton (pictured below), however, has compiled

DIRECTOR of Cricket Tom Moody was today preparing his Worcestershire troops for what he believes will be a crucial spell in their bid for promotion from Division Two of the Frizzell County Championship. Tomorrow they open their match against in-form Middlesex

YORKSHIRE exiles Richard Illingworth and David Leatherdale each captured three wickets against their native county at Headingley yesterday as Worcestershire Royals beat Yorkshire Phoenix by nine runs. The contest was not quite as close as the final score

WORCESTERSHIRE paceman Kabir Ali and spinner Gareth Batty have been included by England in a 20-man provisional squad which will form the nucleus of players due to go to the Academy in Australia this winter. Every player on the list will be filmed in

WORCESTERSHIRE Royals are today standing eight points clear at the top of the Norwich Union National League Division One table following a Graeme Hick century in Saturday's tense four-run victory over title-rivals Somerset Sabres at Taunton. The County

WORCESTERSHIRE chairman John Elliott believes that Director of Cricket Tom Moody's positive approach to the way cricket should be played is rubbing off on the New Road players. Moody is preparing his troops for the closing stages of a roller-coaster season

OPENER Paul Pollard is a doubtful starter for Worcestershire's County Championship Division One match against Warwickshire which opens at Edgbaston tomorrow. He is still battling to overcome a hand injury which he sustained while fielding during the County's

WORCESTERSHIRE'S Steve Rhodes is in danger of missing only his second County Championship match through injury in 17 seasons. He is due to have a fitness test later today on a calf problem to determine whether he will be able to play in the Championship

WORCESTERSHIRE Royals' latest floodlit experience turned out to be anything but illuminating as Northamptonshire Steelbacks inflicted a crushing seven-wicket National League defeat at Wantage Road. Even Glenn McGrath -- on his last county appearance before

GLENN McGrath is determined to sign off his first County Championship campaign by helping Worcestershire clinch promotion to the First Division. And the Australian pace star is convinced the County will have booked their place in the top flight at the

WORCESTERSHIRE'S alarming slump continued at Grace Road last night -- and they now have to beat Kent in their final National League game to avoid relegation from Division One. It's a staggering change of fortune for a side who topped the table by eight

IT'S spinning at Derby. Now we really know the world's weather patterns are in turmoil. As at Southend against Essex, this required a radical alteration of the Worcestershire line-up to accommodate Matt Rawnsley as the second spinner. Stephen Peters had

VIKRAM Solanki will know today whether he will be involved in England's tour of Kenya for the ICC Trophy one-day series. The Worcestershire batsman has been placed on standby following Nick Knight's on-going knee trouble and a decision will be taken later

WORCESTERSHIRE'S reward for beating Hertfordshire and Herefordshire is a home tie against Leicestershire. A home draw in football is regarded as a major advantage. Seven of the eight teams in the quarter-final draw triumphed while playing at home, but

WORCESTERSHIRE Royals will have to be at their best to maintain top spot in the Norwich Union League Division One tomorrow -- says Director of Cricket Tom Moody. The Royals, who lead the table on net run rate from Warwickshire Bears, face a tough clash

FORMER skipper Tom Moody is interested in becoming Worcestershire's new coach. The Australian ace has contacted the County following Bill Athey's resignation. Former New Road coach David Houghton has also expressed an interest in the job according to

EDUCATION Secretary Charles Clarke has produced some odd ideas in the name of our children since he answered Tony Blair's call to take responsibility for our schools. But his backing for a six-term school year demonstrates that he does have the capacity

ANDY Bichel has decided to re-charge his batteries for Worcestershire's double promotion bid rather than face his fellow Australians at New Road over the next three days. His decision to stand down is backed by Director of Cricket Tom Moody, who is anxious

RAIN delayed the start of Worcestershire's County Championship Division Two clash with Durham at the Riverside today. Play was finally scheduled to get under way at 12 noon, 90 minutes late. Durham won the toss and elected to bat. Worcestershire skipper

WORCESTERSHIRE Royals are today still catching their breath after last night's amazing seven-wicket win over Durham Dynamos which swept them four points clear at the top of the Norwich Union League Division Two table. "It was a great game and we are absolutely

WORCESTERSHIRE'S Graeme Hick is lucky to be on England's tour of Sri Lanka -- according to the England and Wales Cricket Board's own official web-site. Hick is one of a number of England players who come in for some stinging criticism on the site, including

WORCESTERSHIRE were in a strong position to open their Frizzell County Championship Division Two campaign on a winning note against Gloucestershire at New Road today. Gloucestershire, facing a tough victory target of 361, resumed this morning on 15-1.

AUSTRALIAN all-rounder Andy Bichel took a career-best six for 44 as Worcestershire defeated Gloucestershire by 252 runs at Bristol. Bichel and Alamgir Sheriyar, who claimed three for 42, were rewarded for bowling a disciplined line and length on an easy-paced

WORCESTERSHIRE crashed to their second Norwich Union League Division Two defeat of the season when they went down by 111 runs to Glamorgan at Cardiff. The County were never in the hunt after the home side scored a massive 305 for six -- their highest-ever

WORCESTERSHIRE pace bowler Kabir Ali eventually ended Michael Hussey's innings for 170 -- leaving the Frizzell County Championship Division Two game at Northampton drifting towards a high-scoring draw . At the close last night Northamptonshire 380 for

A DEFIANT ninth-wicket 92-run stand rescued Derbyshire from an embarrassing defeat inside two days against Worcestershire. But Steve Selwood, 99 overnight, failed to add to his score when he was caught behind off Kabir Ali today. Kevin Dean was on 30,

DIRECTOR of Cricket Tom Moody believes Worcestershire can go into this week's match against promotion rivals Derbyshire full of confidence after drawing their rain-hit County Championship Division Two match with Nottinghamshire at Kidderminster. The game

WORCESTERSHIRE'S star overseas player Shane Lee is returning home to Australia because of a knee injury. He suffered the setback in the county'sfloodlit Norwich Union League Division One clash against Warwickshire at Edgbaston last week. All-rounder Lee's

STEVE Rhodes has pledged Worcestershire will not feel sorry for themselves following their ten-wicket defeat at Trent Bridge and the loss of Graeme Hick for almost two months. Hick joins up with England tomorrow for the forthcoming World Cup and may not

WORCESTERSHIRE'S players, officials and supporters have given a cautious welcome to short-form cricket. New Road staged its first experimental match yesterday, with the County beating Glamorgan by 31 runs. The match was a 25-over contest starting at 5pm

NOTTINGHAMSHIRE did their promotion chances the world of good with a 114-run victory over Worcestershire at Trent Bridge. Lying in third place in the Frizzell County Championship Division Two, Nottinghamshire had reduced the visitors to 40 for four overnight

WORCESTERSHIRE today looked to be heading for a damaging setback to their Frizzell County Championship Division Two promotion bid against Middlesex at New Road. The County, following on 212 behind, closed last night on 251-5 -- a lead of just 39. Graeme

CENTURIES from James Pipe and Dominic Williamson could not prevent Worcestershire from a four-wicket defeat in their Second XI Championship clash with Yorkshire at Scarborough. The pair shared a fifth-wicket stand of 164 as the County declared their second

WORCESTERSHIRE skipper Tom Moody believes his side are on the right track following their third County Championship victory in four games. Saturday's win over Gloucestershire at Cheltenham lifted Worcestershire up to ninth place in the table and, with

Worcestershire went to the top of the Norwich Union League Division Two with a convincing 138-run victory over Derbyshire last night. Superb batting from Philip Weston and Vikram Solanki powered Worcestershire to 288-6 from 45 overs. A depleted Derbyshire

LEFT-ARM spinner Mat-thew Rawnsley and paceman Duncan Catterall are among five players being released by Worcestershire at the end of the season. The others are Depesh Patel, Nathan Round and Gurdeep Kandola. Rawnsley, Catterall and Patel are not having

TOM Moody today issued a rallying call to his Worcestershire players as their Frizzell Championship Division Two promotion battle heads for a make-or-break match against Derbyshire at New Road tomorrow. "There is still a glimmer of hope," said the County's

ALAMGIR Sheriyar has returned to the fast lane after his Worcestershire career took a wrong turn last season. And that's certainly good news for the 27-year-old left arm quickie who has steered his way back among the country's leading wicket-takers. However

BEN Smith has today been unveiled as Worcestershire County Cricket Club's new captain. The 30-year-old batsman, who joined the County from Leicestershire last year, succeeds Graeme Hick who had led the side for three seasons. Smith is relishing the opportunity

ENGLAND were today considering their spin bowling options after yet another injury setback with Jeremy Snape being ruled out of contention for the next month with a fractured right thumb. Snape suffered the injury after being struck with the first delivery

WORCESTERSHIRE pace ace Andy Bichel played a starring role as Australia took charge on the second day of the first Test against South Africa at Melbourne. Bichel, who will return for a second season at New Road next year, has been considered surplus to

WORCESTERSHIRE skipper Graeme Hick won the toss and elected to bat as their County Championship Division Two clash with Gloucestershire got under way in Bristol today. Openers Phil Weston and Anurag Singh made a steady start against Gloucestershire pacemen

THE toss of the coin seems likely to be an early season theme this year. Losing it in Durham was clearly a disadvantage. Winning it against Surrey made the gaining of bonus points much easier in the time available. Winning it at Trent Bridge didn't do

TOM Moody is telling his players that their Norwich Union League destiny is in their own hands as Worcestershire Royals prepare for tomorrow's crucial Division Two showdown against promotion-rivals Hampshire Hawks at New Road. "Hampshire are in the hunt

wicketkeeper James Pipe claimed a competition record eight catches as Worcestershire stormed into the fourth round of the C & G Trophy. Worcester hammered poor Hertfordshire at Balls Park, Hertford by 267 runs -- a record winning margin in English

WORCESTERSHIRE'S Australian newcomer Andy Bichel has quickly adapted to the English conditions - and how! The 30-year-old has been a big hit for the County this season with both bat and ball and has already chalked up a trio of 'firsts'. He began by hammering

WORCESTERSHIRE return to County Championship action tomorrow when they open their match against Gloucestershire at New Road. The County have yet to finalise their side although there are unlikely to be many changes from the line-up for their last Championship

COMPETITIVE cricket has been thin on the ground recently for Worcestershire. The last Championship match at Headingley was a three-day game and leaves one wondering just how many of the scheduled 68 days of first class cricket Worcester will have played

PACE newcomer Jason de la Pena believes he has come of age and can play a major role in Worcestershire's quest for success this season. The much-travelled 26-year-old believes the time is right for him to settle down and fulfil his potential at New Road

PAUL Pollard will return for Worcestershire tomorrow when they open their County Championship Division Two match against Hampshire at New Road. The former Nottinghamshire left hander missed the County's last Championship match, which ended in a rain-hit

WORCESTERSHIRE coach Tom Moody is confident fellow Australian Andy Bichel can successfully fill Glenn McGrath's shoes as the County look to bounce back from a disastrous second half to last season. Moody, who spent eight seasons as the overseas player

IN her latest film, actress Julia Roberts plays a spinster schoolteacher who has spurned marriage in favour of her job. Off screen, however, things couldn't be more different for the luminous star. Despite rumours to the contrary Roberts insists she's

WORCESTERSHIRE'S head groundsman Roy McLaren is to retire on July 31. The County's Chief Executive Mark Newton today paid tribute to McLaren's service to the New Road club over the last 18 years. He said: "Roy has worked tirelessly for the club given

Suddenly Last Summer is described as one of Tennessee Williams' finest plays and this Sheffield Theatres production at Malvern Theatres did not disappoint An opening, unearthly screeching set the tone for very uncomfortable theatre. Set in 1930s New Orleans

WORCESTERSHIRE were frustrated by Jonathan Hughes and the weather on the third day of their Second XI Championship match against Glamorgan at Abergavenny yesterday. Glamorgan resumed 35 runs ahead on 52-2 and took their score to 178-5 off 49.4 overs before

BILL Athey made a shock comeback for Worcestershire -- and figured strongly in the Royals' magnificent win over National League title holders Lancashire Lightning. "Definitely a one-off," smiled the New Road coach who wore the number 41 shirt to match

DIRECTOR of Cricket Tom Moody wants his Worcestershire players to learn from their recent mistakes when they take on Derbyshire in a County Championship Division Two match which opens at New Road tomorrow. The County have lost their last five games, but

WORCESTERSHIRE Royals are two points behind National League Division One leaders Lancashire Lightning after experiencing mixed fortunes in their Bank Holiday double-header against Essex Eagles and Warwickshire Bears at New Road. Following Sunday's comfortable

WORCESTERSHIRE are confident Alamgir Sheriyar and Vikram Solanki will sign new contracts despite failing to put pen to paper before flying out on the England 'A' team's tour of Bang-ladesh and New Zealand. New Road chairman John Elliott said: "The indications

WORCESTERSHIRE'S pre-season cricket programme continues to be hit by the wet weather. They were due to have staged a friendly against Glamorgan at New Road on Tuesday, April 17, but it has now been switched to Kidderminster's Chester Road headquarters

A FINE century stand between Andy Bichel and Graeme Hick steered Worcestershire to a comprehensive eight-wicket victory over Gloucestershire in their weather-hit Benson and Hedges Cup quarter-final at Bristol yesterday. The County won with 8.2 overs to

A PUB is set to reopen today (Friday) with a new name and a new look. The Dog at Baughton, formerly known as The Gay Dog Inn, was taken over by Scott and Julie Robinson last year but was closed for six months while it was refurbished. Now the couple are

HEALTH chiefs hope to hear within days whether threatened health centre projects in Malvern and Upton-upon-Severn can be saved. Plans for the new centres were put on hold when South Worcestershire Primary Care Trust was told it could not have the cash

A SPARKLING innings by Vikram Solanki helped delighted Worcestershire book a place in the quarter-finals of the Benson and Hedges Cup for the first time since 1995 with a five wicket win over Glamorgan at New Road yesterday. Hero Solanki cracked 90 to

CHILDREN will be able to beat adults at their own game at a bingo session being held in Upton. Prizes including toys and pens will be up for grabs at the event, which starts at 2pm tomorrow (Saturday), at the Memorial Hall. There will be a raffle and

THE Malvern Gazette got a mention in the House of Commons this week. It came during an adjournment debate on Wednesday evening secured by West Worcestershire MP Sir Michael Spicer to discuss the future of rail services in Worcestershire. During his speech

WHEN David Lein left school at 16, disillusioned with the education system, he did not imagine that five years later he would be offered a place at Cambridge University. After leaving the Royal Grammar School in Worcester, David spent several years working

HITLER'S bombs, falling in love and summer holidays - Malvern's older residents have been lifting the lid on why they live where they do. The town's thriving branch of the University of the Third Age has released the details of a survey of around 230

THE last stamp was licked at North Malvern post office yesterday (Thursday). After 17 years as postmaster, Bob Davidson has bowed to the forces of change and hung up his rubber stamps. While the newsagents at the Cowleigh Road premises will remain open

WARWICKSHIRE were happy to bank four points for a draw when rain at Edgbaston halted Worcestershire's bid for a fourth Championship win. Set to make 311, the home side began with hopes of sneaking back into the top three in Division Two but struggled

GRAEME Hick hopes to force his way back into Test match contention by making a major impact in England's forthcoming one-day internationals against South Africa and Zimbabwe. "I've got a few years left in me yet and I'd like to spend a few of them playing

WORCESTERSHIRE were denied the chance of a third Championship win by another wash-out at Bristol and no one was more frustrated than Vikram Solanki. He was left dangling on 161 needing just 11 more runs for a career-best and no-one sympathised more than

WORCESTERSHIRE'S Vikram Solanki completed a fine half-century against New Zealand 'A' today. He helped put England 'A' in a strong position when rain brought a premature end to the second day of the second Test against the Kiwiws in Wellington -- but

WORCESTERSHIRE'S Steve Rhodes is again proving that age is no barrier when you're part of the wicketkeepers' union. The popular stumper, who celebrates his 38th birthday a week today, is as sharp as ever and even more determined to keep in his place in

WORCESTERSHIRE lost their the top of the table spot in the County Championship Division Two after going down by 81 runs to Glamorgan at Swansea. While Glamorgan were elated at their first win of the season, Worcestershire made a valiant effort to pull

THE origins of the Worcestershire landscape are to be made clearer with the launch of a new online map archive. The resource, compiled over the past 12 years by researcher David Guyatt, catalogues the enclosure of large areas of land over the 18th and

There has been much comment and concern about safety improvements to the intersection of the A417 and the A4103 roads at Newtown crossroads. I thought it would be useful if I commented on the background to the decision to install traffic lights. This

ALAMGIR Sheriyar made an early breakthrough for Worcestershire in their County Championship Division Two match against arch-rivals Warwickshire at New Road today. The lively left-arm seamer struck to remove Ian Bell after the "Old Enemy" had decided to

POWICK residents are concerned at plans to open a nursery in the village, fearing it will increase traffic congestion. Plans have been submitted by agents John Hallam Associates for the change of use of 54 Malvern Road into a nursery, which could include

PLANS to regenerate Great Malvern were officially adopted by the district council this week. The regeneration strategy, revealed in the Malvern Gazette three weeks ago, will now form the core of the council's efforts to breathe new life into the town

I WRITE to applaud the pure genius of the vision expressed by Ian Wells (Your Letters, February 27). A pedestrianised square is exactly what Church Street needs - a place to congregate and cogitate and admire the view! By all means have a streamlined

RANGERS travelled to the impressive Coor's Stadium on Saturday to play fourth placed Ludlow Town Reserves and gave a far better account of themselves than of late. LUDLOW TOWN RESERVES 1, MALVERN RANGERS 0 The first half was evenly contested with Rangers

WHAT is all this about revitalising Great Malvern town centre by moving the post office and/or constructing a restaurant on the roof under some sort of glass dome? Once again Malvern planners demonstrate their unerring instinct for barking up the wrong

SUPPORT has been flooding in for a charity football match in memory of Malvern's Natasha Tandy. The match, between two teams of family and friends, is being being organised by Lee Tandy, whose wife died of cervical cancer last year. It takes place at

SO has that early season promise evaporated already? To miss out on the Benson and Hedges Cup quarter -finals, and therefore one of those cup matches on which a team and its supporters thrive, was agreat disappointment. That the two home matches should

WORCESTERSHIRE'S player of the year Andy Bichel will be back at New Road again next season. The 31-year-old Australian paceman has signed a further one-year contract after having an outstanding campaign with the County. He said: "I have enjoyed my first

WE are writing in response to a letter (Your Letters, February 20) in which Simon Roberts criticised the fundraising which our school council has organised to support abandoned dogs at the Worcestershire Animal Sanctuary. Mr Roberts states that there

GLOUCESTERSHIRE gained quick revenge over Worcestershire Seconds with victory in the second of two one-day friendlies at New Road. They were declared winners on a faster run-rate, having reached 194-2 in 37.3 overs in pursuit of the County's 223-9 when

WORCESTERSHIRE County Cricket Club received a massive boost today with the news that pace star Andy Bichel will be available for the start of the new season. He is expected to be back at New Road in two weeks' time and should now play the full season

SIX new jobs will be created when a private operator takes over the running of the residential care unit at Bromyard's Froome Bank Hospital. Shaw Healthcare takes over the operation of the unit from Herefordshire Council on April 5, as part of a deal

EXPRESS travelled to Callow End for their third encounter of the season with the Old Bush. With several players on the EGGS weekend Mark Taylor was forced to make changes as well as signing on a goalkeeper. THE OLD BUSH 3, EXPRESS 88 6 Express started

I READ the letter by Simon Roberts (Your Letters, February 20) with amused disbelief. A far more serious problem, caused totally by the human population, is the amount of discarded cans, paper waste and general litter that desecrate pavements, parks and

I HAVE been asked by Bill Wiggin MP to write to you about the winter fuel payment. I had half of mine in November, £100, it should have been £200. It did not matter how many times I asked for the rest, I just got told I was lucky to get that as some people

GRAEME Hick has set his sights on forcing his way back into the England squad for the 2003 World Cup finals in South Africa. The Worcestershire captain has not figured in England's plans since the tour of Pakistan and Sri Lanka during the winter of 2000

Worcestershire made slow progress before finally edging in front in their County Championship Division Two clash with Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge today. Resuming on 130-3 in reply to the home side's 149, it took 10 overs before Anurag Singh hit Nadeem

TOM Moody expects further improvement from his Worcestershire side des-pite a convincing five-wicket victory at Northamptonshire that gave them their first Benson and Hedges Cup win of the season. The New Road club returned to form to banish the memory

Congratulations to the Malvern Gazette for arranging the meeting to improve rail services. As you admit in your editorial (February 27), running a railway is difficult! One important item aired at the meeting needs further emphasising. Central Trains

The decision of Malvern Town Council to retain the stakes, rather than remove or lay flat the offending headstones at Great Malvern cemetery, is no doubt the right one, bearing in mind the cost and other possible consequences, but it is unlikely the council

LIKE an excited schoolboy, I was down at New Road to see Glenn McGrath bowl for Worcestershire against Yorkshire. You had the feeling that it was one of those days that people would want to recall, to be able to say that they were there. He did not disappoint

A RECORD number of visitors flooded the Three Counties Showground on Wednesday for the annual Herefordshire and Worcestershire Business Festival. Business people from across the two counties took the opportunity to attend seminars, make new contacts and

WORCESTERSHIRE coach Bill Athey believes this season's Benson and Hedges Cup is becoming a lottery because of the wet weather. He was talking after the County's clash with Gloucestershire, at New Road yesterday, was abandoned after only ten overs had

DIRECTOR of Cricket Tom Moody is urging his stunned Worcestershire players to overcome yesterday's disappointing seven-wicket County Championship Division Two defeat against Nottinghamshire by clinching a winning clean-sweep over Derbyshire this week.

Give that man a job! Ian Wells (Your Letters, February 27) ideas are bold indeed. I would add to his list of missed opportunities that the Somerfield site should have been a proper, permanent, covered market. Before anyone developed Malvern Theatres,

THE arrival of the West Indies takes me back to 1991 when one Graeme Hick made his long-awaited England Test debut. Had it not been for an alteration in the international calendar, the 'Windies' would have arrived the following year and Hicky would have

GLENN McGrath's eagerly awaited New Road debut was delayed today when the wet weather delayed the start to Worcestershire's opening county championship Division Two match with Glamorgan. The Aussie pace-ace and his new team-mates were left to watch groundstaff

MY idea was to attack the problem of the Malvern gradient with a jazzy little French-style road train through the town centre right up the slope to St Ann's Well, plus a ski-lift/cable car from there to near the Worcester Beacon and a small focal central

THE Friends of Worcestershire cricket committee raised more than £100,000 during their Flood Relief Appeal last year. Appeal Committee chairman Peter Jewell handed over a cheque for £102,000 yesterday to the County's chairman John Elliott. Jewell said

WORK will start this weekend on a new noise barrier on the M50 near Bromsberrow Heath. This will run for nearly half a mile alongside the eastbound carriageway, with the aim of reducing the traffic noise heard by the villagers. Work begins on Sunday (

WORCESTERSHIRE will again be without Vikram Solanki for their Frizzell Championship Division Two match against Northamptonshire which opens at Northampton tomorrow. He damaged a finger during the County's victory over Oxford UCCE in The Parks and is now

I CAN imagine the scene prior to this last game with Northamptonshire. In 1997 we visited Wantage Road with Graeme Hick on Test duty, Richard Illingworth and Matthew Rawnsley injured and Vikram Solanki unable to bowl because of a badly bruised finger.

YOUNG people who have made a real contribution to their community are being sought for a new award scheme. Nominations are needed for the Worcestershire Young Stars award in five categories: arts; sport, outdoor activities or other interest/skill; young