WORCESTERSHIRE cricket committee chairman Martin Horton has criticised the decision to award contracts to England's top players.

County skipper Graeme Hick is one of 12 players awarded a contract by the England Cricket Board.

Hick could now miss the majority of the season for the County if he is on England duty, as he would only be automatically available for Benson and Hedges Cup and NatWest Trophy matches.

Any other appearances for the County would be at the discretion of England coach Duncan Fletcher.

But Horton believes that the England contracts are unnecessary for batsmen and should be targeted mainly at the bowlers.

"I can see the point in them want-ing to keep people like Darren Gough and certain bowlers out of the limelight, but I can't see the point with the batsmen.

"I believe Duncan Fletcher has stated he wants batsmen to play as much as they can.

"I can't see the need to spend that much money contracting 12 players -- no county has ever refused permission for a player to have a rest," said the former County all-rounder.

Horton, however, said that Worcestershire were delighted that Hick had been chosen as one of the contracted players, as it emphasises that he is still very much in the selectors' minds despite his in-and-out Test career.

"We all know at Worcester that he has the ability, but he has been messed around more than any other player."

Horton says the door is still open to the County's other winter tourist, Vikram Solanki, with 14 players due to be contracted at a later date for this summer's one-day series against West Indies and Zimbabwe.

"He has something to play for because he knows they are going to announce more contracted players. He just has to get his head down and get some hundreds."

Horton said the cricket committee were due to meet on March 20 to discuss the Hick situation, which is likely to include the appointment of a vice-captain to stand in when Hick is on England duty.