BEN Smith is today emerging as red-hot favourite to replace Graeme Hick as Worcestershire County Cricket Club's new captain.

Speculation about who will take over is reaching fever pitch after Hick's shock sacking as skipper.

The County, however, have not yet decided who will fill the key role, but suggest that an appointment will be made from within the New Road playing ranks.

Worcestershire's chief executive Mark Newton said: "We have had discussions about the options available, but we have not approached anyone inside or outside the club yet regarding the future captaincy."

He revealed, however, that the appointment would be made 'in the near future' and that a current New Road player would appear to be the likeliest choice.

Long-serving Steve Rhodes, who has acted as a stand-in skipper in the past, Vikram Solanki and David Leatherdale are also on the speculation list, but Smith is a firm favourite with County followers.

He is also highly regarded by Worcestershire's director of cricket Tom Moody who, when he signed the 30-year-old, said: "Apart from being an outstanding county cricketer in his own right, Ben has leadership qualities."

Smith celebrated a hugely successful first season at New Road this summer by being voted Worcestershire Supporters' Association's Player of the Year.

It was an award he thoroughly deserved following his arrival at the County on a three-year contract from Leicestershire where he filled in as captain on occasions.

He excelled in both the first-class and limited-over arenas, ending up as the country's leading scorer in the Norwich Union League with 654 runs.

Meanwhile, the dust was still settling at New Road today following the bombshell news that Hick has been stripped of the captaincy.

Moody said the County felt that the time was 'right to move forward with the captaincy of the team'.

He also believed the decision would allow 36-year-old Hick to concentrate on being Worcestershire's and the country's leading batsman.

Former England Test star Hick said he was 'surprised and disappointed' by the County's move to axe him as skipper. He added that the abruptness of the decision came as 'something of a shock'.