GRAEME Hick has admitted helping Worcestershire revive their fortunes is more important to him than becoming the 16th player to score 40,000 first-class runs.

Hick achieved the landmark at the age of 41 by reaching 49 on the third day of the LV County Championship Division One match with Warwickshire at Edgbaston.

He was given a standing ovation all around the ground and warmly applauded by his own team-mates and the Warwickshire players before being dismissed without adding to his score.

But, although taking pride from the achievement, Hick is focused on helping the County improve on a disappointing start to the campaign.

He said: "You can look back at things like this and feel proud about realising the achievement -a but it is not something you set out to do.

"I remember playing against Warwickshire for Zimbabwe in 1985 at Edgbaston and Dennis Amiss had obviously got some milestone and everyone got up and clapped. I was looking at the score-board trying to work out why.

"I could see it was not a hundred or anything obvious and before the next delivery was bowled it came over on the public address system congratulating Dennis Amiss on scoring his 40,000th run.

"I remember thinking bloody hell, that's a lot of runs'. It is a good achievement but hopefully now I've passed it, I can carry on.

"To me there are other important things, Worcestershire winning and playing well. They mean more to me than just getting past a certain total of runs.

"When you have been playing as long as I have, you do start crossing off certain things. It is like becoming the oldest player still playing first class cricket. You play a long time and you cross different hurdles. But I am not really that fussed about it. I know later on it will be nice to look back. But I'm focused on trying to do well and helping Worcestershire to do well."

Worcestershire skipper Vikram Solanki led the praise for Hick and said: "The great thing is Hicky's enthusiasm for the game is still there.

"For someone who has achieved as much, to still have the drive, work ethic and hunger is great. It takes a particular type of character and personality to be able to do it.

"As a player, he is the ultimate professional. He has al-ways looked after himself, he is still fit, still works hard, probably harder than anyone else. He is an amazing guy."

"I remember coming into the dressing room as a young kid and being overawed by the fact Graeme Hick was in the dressing room."