THE sight of Worcestershire cricket legend Graeme Hick receiving his MBE from the Queen yesterday will have brought a smile to many thousands of sports lovers in the county. The record-breaking batsman, born in what is now Zimbabwe, was adopted long ago as a true son of Worcestershire.

Mr Hick may never have been given the time to establish himself as a Test player in the way England players do these days, but he was always welcomed back to New Road with open arms whenever the national team felt they could do without him.

His MBE, awarded in the Queen’s birthday honours in the summer, is just reward for a man who has been both gentleman and player.

Mr Hick’s sporting prowess kept him in the headlines throughout his 24 years with Worcestershire as he racked up a remarkable 136 first-class centuries.

His charitable work, however, has been far more low-key yet he deserves his honour as much for that as for his exploits on the cricket field. Currently one of the chief patrons of the Worcester News-backed Worcestershire Breast Unit Campaign, Mr Hick does a huge amount of good work for a number of causes but rarely courts publicity.

The people of Worcestershire are quick to recognise one of their own and Graeme Hick comes into that category. He said yesterday’s ceremony at Buckingham Palace was more nerve-wracking that walking out at Lord’s – an unsurprising admission from a man who instinctively shies away from the limelight.

But he deserves his moment in the spotlight and the hearty congratulations that go with it.