“THE word legend rarely sticks for a cricketer — but with Hicky that is what he is.”

A simple but fitting tribute from Worcestershire chief executive and former team-mate David Leatherdale as Graeme Hick prepares for a new life in Australia.

The 45-year-old jets off to the Gold Coast today to begin a new chapter in his life with his family after hanging up his lethal bat three years ago.

Having arrived in Worcester in 1984 from his native Zimbabwe, Hick’s journey to legendary status at New Road was about to begin.

A career which spanned three decades, the former England international went on play in a record 1,214 matches, scoring 64,372 runs and taking an incredible 1,008 catches in all forms of the game.

“What can you say about Hicky? His record speaks for itself, he deserves all the praise and credit he gets,” Leatherdale added.

“How many people scored 100 hundreds? How many people can say they have scored more than 60,000 runs? Not many.”

When Hick announced his retirement in 2008 he was unable to fight back the tears as he contemplated his life without playing cricket.

A deeply private man, the destructive batsman admitted he would have much preferred his retirement to have been announced while he was sitting on a beach somewhere with his family.

But as he heads Down Under, he flies off in a manner that is typical Hick, quiet and without a fuss.

“He’s always been very humble,” Leatherdale said. “When he announced his retirement I know he found it very difficult because he is such a private man.

“I think that he has being enjoying his retirement, he has been able to spend time with his kids, Jordan and Lauren, for the first time.

“Hicky was also so focused on his cricket, I would call him one of the first 12-month cricketers.

“After playing for us he was either off with Eng-land or off playing overseas somewhere.”

Hick may no longer be around Worcestershire or the New Road ground, but there will always be a piece of the County dedicated to the great man’s legacy.

In 2009, just a few months after retiring, the new £2million Graeme Hick Pavilion was opened.

Over the course of the past couple of years, more and more memorabilia from Hick’s illustrious career have been put on display in the pavilion.

At the time of the official opening, Hick said: “Not everyone embraces change, but when everything is completed it will all look fantastic.

“Having seen the building I’m a little bit envious. I spent 25 years here and it is only now that we get this facility.”

Although the great man may be on the other side of the world, there will always be a place for him at New Road.