GRAEME Hick insisted he is putting no date on his retirement from first-class cricket after his 40th birthday yesterday.

The Worcestershire run machine and former England player is a few weeks into his 23rd season as a first-teamer at New Road.

He is in the final year of his current contract and any decision on the club extending his deal -- or Hick deciding it is time to quit -- will depend largely on his contribution in 2006 and whether the hunger to continue remains.

Hick said: "I am not putting any date on things. It is not down to match by match but hopefully I'll have a good enough year for the club to want me to come back.

"If I'm still playing well enough, that's fine. One day I'll just get out of bed and come down to the ground and think 'I've had enough'.

"Whether that comes in July, August, September or while in a gym in October, who knows, but I've always hoped that's the way it will happen.

"Then I will feel I've no regrets about giving up. People always say 'you are a long time retired' so I do hope it comes that way and I think 'I've had enough'.

"That way I will find it easier to pack in and enjoy the moment of packing in and count myself fortunate for what I've had from over 20 years in the game.

"But I am not going to stop just because suddenly I have hit 40. If I enjoy this season, and feel I have contributed to the team on and off the field, I will leave it up to the club. If I have a bad season, then obviously it is time to go."

There will be many tears shed among Worcestershire supporters when Hick walks to the wicket for the final time.

He said: "I am an emotional person and I am sure it would be more difficult to enjoy my cricket if I knew this was going to be my last season. That would be in my mind. But I've approached this season as if there are still years left for me."

Hick remains one of Worcestershire's fittest players and believes that has been a key factor in him being able to continue playing for so many years.

He said: "I was very fortunate after the first summer here in that I went back to Zimbabwe and met an ex-rugby player who owned a gym.

"He said I had to get myself fit and strong, that I had to be stronger than the person stood next to me and fitter and I spent five mornings a day in the gym.

"I think my fitness has helped me through to play as long as I have and it is vital to do that."