COUNTY cricket legend Graeme Hick was on hand to receive a Royal Worcester Porcelain vase from Worcestershire County Council chairman Coun Peter Tomlinson as the Pears legend returned to New Road.
As the three-day game with Australia came to a damp end, Hick, who is now a batting coach with the touring team received the gift from Coun Tomlinson on the outfield.
The vase, which was hand-painted by local artist Harry Davis, features a design of Worcester Cathedral and was presented on the final day of the game which was held as part of the Australian team’s preparations ahead of the second Ashes test at Lord’s which started yesterday (Wednesday).
It’s the latest gift given to a visiting Australian cricket team by Royal Worcester Porcelain.
Back in the 1930s the legendary Australian batsman Sir Donald Bradman made three consecutive double centuries, and the Royal Worcester Porcelain Company presented him with a special commemorative vase to honour his remarkable achievements.
The picture on that vase, by ceramic artist Harry Davis, shows Bradman at the crease and Worcester Cathedral in the background, and the vase is now kept in the Bradman Collection Museum at the Adelaide Oval.
The team will also be presented copies of the designs of the previous gifts which have been discovered in the archives of the Porcelain Museum
Coun Tomlinson, said: “It’s been a real honour to come to New Road and welcome an absolute legend of the game back to a county where he made so much history.
“It’s great Graeme has been able to come back to New Road during preparations for such an iconic series.”
