GRAEME Hick joins Worcestershire Royals' National League Division One relegation fight tomorrow when they take on table-topping Surrey Lions at Guildford.

Star batsman Hick has missed the County's last three league matches because of a broken bone in his left hand which he sustained batting against Glamorgan Dragons at Swansea on June 8.

His run scoring prowess in the competition has been badly missed by Worcestershire who have lost their last four matches.

The grim sequence has left them second from bottom in the table four points better off than Yorkshire Phoenix.

The County and Yorkshire, however, have played one match less than the rest of the sides in the division.

Hick's welcome return means that Stephen Peters is likely to stand down with Anurag Singh forming the opening partnership with Vikram Solanki.

Surrey, who have lost just one of their eight matches so far this season, will be bidding for the 'double' over the County following a one wicket win at New Road on May 5.

Worcestershire continue their league programme on Tuesday with a day-night match against Glamorgan at New Road.

County officials are expecting a bumper crowd who will have use of the 1,200 extra seats which have been installed for the Cheltenham & Gloucester Trophy semi-final with Lancashire on Saturday, August 9.

n Rain prevented any play yesterday in Worcestershire's Frizzell County Championship division two match against Gloucestershire at Cheltenham.