GRAEME Hick is set to lead Worcestershire again next season now that he has not been offered an ECB contract.

The captaincy issue will be discussed at a committee meeting at New Road next Tuesday when it is expected that Hick's position as skipper will be confirmed.

The County had decided not to rush into reviewing their star batsman's role as captain until the England's contracts had been announced.

England chairman of selectors David Graveney, however, has left the door open for Hick to fight his way back into international contention.

He refused to rule out any candidates when he named the 12 contracted players to serve England in the summer's series against Pakistan and Australia.

"I would never say about anybody that a line has been put through their name. There are still plenty of opportunities," insisted Graveney.

Hick's cause was not helped by the fact that England decided to pick only six batsmen, one less than last year.

The New Road ace has not scored a Test half-century for 12 innings and six hundreds in 65 Tests is below the potential he has always promised.