WORCESTERSHIRE'S hopes of having captain Graeme Hick back for tomorrow's crucial CGU National League Division One title clash with Somerset at New Road have been dashed by the England and Wales Cricket Board.

With the Fourth Test against the West Indies finishing inside two days yesterday, the New Road club were optimistic that their England-contracted star would be made available.

But Hick telephoned County coach Bill Athey last night to inform him that he could not play in tomorrow's Sunday League showdown.

Worcestershire are still unaware whether Hick will be allowed to play in the County Championship Division Two match with Warwickshire which starts at New Road on Monday.

One piece of good news for the County is that hot bowling prospect Kabir Ali is ready to spearhead the club's attack against Somerset tomorrow.

Ali's 4-49 was a major factor in England Under 19s victory over Sri Lanka at Trent Bridge this week and his inclusion could be vital to the team's chances.

Somerset are in second place in the table and Athey said: "It is a game we have to win. It really is a big game for us."

And Athey is only too aware that a win would give his side some breathing space going into the three remaining fixtures, as, going six points clear would effectively give them a win in hand.

But he admits that the side is "no way near full strength." The only change from last week's game against Sussex is likely to be the inclusion of Ryan Driver in place of Hick.

Last week's game fell victim to the weather so Athey is hoping for a full day's play, but he knows the weather is always a problem and something that you can't do anything about.

"We take what we're given," he added.

Athey said that if the team can put a good run of results together then they have a good chance of doing well, and their fate is in their own hands.

On Monday, Worcestershire begin their next PPP healthcare Championship match against Warwickshire at New Road. The game was originally scheduled for Tuesday, but was brought forward to give Warwickshire more time to prepare for the NatWest Trophy final against Gloucestershire at Lord's next Saturday.

Promotion is still very much a possibility for both teams despite Worcestershire's recent ten-wicket defeat against Essex at Kidderminster. Worcestershire are in third place with Warwickshire fifth.

n Torrential rain forced the abandonment of Worcestershire's Second XI Championship match with Somerset at Kidderminster.

Worcestershire had needed 376 runs to snatch an unlikely victory, before the weather intervened.