IN the wake of reaching 40,000 career runs, Graeme Hick has spelt out his desire to continue playing county cricket for Worcestershire.

Hick reached the milestone in his 841st innings - 24 years after his first for Zimbabwe against Young West Indies in Harare - at an average of 52.56 runs per knock.

Hick raised his arms in triumph and received an ovation from all parts of the ground -although he failed to add to his score before being dismissed by Warwickshire paceman Dale Steyn.

The 41-year-old was given a new contract for 2007 after his performances in earning the County double promotion last season and is aiming to show he is capable of carrying on playing for another 12 months.

He said: "I know I am enjoying it. The fitness and health side comes in. It is certainly on my mind as to whether I would like to carry on or not. I'll think about it.

"I just wanted to make sure I had a good enough season to try and make that decision myself and be able to go to the club and say, I am really enjoying it, I am playing well, I would like to carry on'.

"It does come down to what the club want but if I am fit enough, I will consider it."

Graham Gooch was the last player to reach 40,000 first-class runs - in 1994 - and he continued playing until he was 43.

Hick said: "I saw Graham in the winter and and he always said the batting was okay as he got older but he just found the fielding became hard work and that he was letting people down in the field.

"There will be somewhere along the line, whether it is this year or next year, that will suddenly make me think, I am letting myself and other people down' and it will be time to go.

"At the moment, I am not thinking that way. I am hoping it just comes to me one day rather than me planning it. I'd like to be here one day and gone the next. Whether that is due to fitness or form, we will wait and see."

Hick has been one of Worcestershire's best performers so far this season and County captain Vikram Solanki would be delighted for the former England man to carry on playing.

He said: "If Graeme keeps scoring the runs, that's exactly what we would love. That's exactly what I would like. I can assure you of that."