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 as captain for this club but with central contracts he was only really here a third of the season last year.

"I think Graeme feels, as well as we do, that it's not an ideal situation, so we are looking at what we can do in the best interests of the club.

"We have spoken to Graeme in Pakistan and before he went. He knows our feelings and we know his and he fully understands the situation."

Elliott said the search for new players is continuing and confirmed that Warwickshire batsman Anurag Singh is among their targets.

He said New Road officials are determined to make sure the County's fortunes improve after last year when they failed to gain promotion from the County Championship Division Two and were relegated from Division One of the National League.

Elliott said: "I've been involved for 20 years on the committee and it was the worst season I've ever experienced."