WORCESTERSHIRE cricket legend Graeme Hick received his MBE yesterday.

The ex-England cricketer who played for the county’s cricket club for 25 years was given the honour for his services to the sport and presented with his medal by the Queen at an investiture at Buckingham Palace.

Mr Hick, aged 43, said: “I’m honoured and very privileged. It’s an amazing moment and a lot more nerve-racking than walking out at Lord’s, but it’s a very special day for me and my family.

“It’s something I’m sure I’ll look back on and really cherish.”

Mr Hick said the Queen talked to him about cricket and asked him about his charity work with the county’s children.

During his career, the Zimbabwean-born star scored 136 first-class centuries. The batsman also holds the record for playing the most professional games of cricket after padding up for 1,214 matches.

A pavilion bearing his name was opened at the New Road ground in May this year following his retirement in 2008.

Yesterday’s medal, given as part of the Queen’s birthday honours list, was welcomed by the club’s director of cricket Steve Rhodes, who hailed Mr Hick as one of cricket’s greats.

He said: “He’s a legend of the club and had an eventful and marvellous career with Worcestershire.

“Added to that it was a long career which showed his support and loyalty towards the club at a time when he could have been playing for more wealthy and bigger test grounds.

“He was very loyal to Worcestershire. I think this is excellent news because if we look at his career he’s a worthy winner of an award like this.”