the australian cricket team were honoured today (friday) in commemoration of their visit to worcester – and New Road – with a special presentation which was received by worcestershire legend graeme hick.
worcestershire county council chairman, peter tomlinson, presented the unique gift from the royal worcester porcelain factory to hick, who is now the australian batting coach, during the lunch interval on the third day of the tour game at New Road.
hick spent 25 years as a player with worcestershire, scoring more than 100 first class centuries and over 48,000 runs in all competitions, and he was delighted to accept the gift on behalf of the australian team.
it is not the first time the royal porcelain company have made such a special presentation at New Road when australia have been the visitors.
in the 1930’s legendary australian batsman sir donald bradman made three consecutive double centuries in tour games against worcestershire
the royal worcester porcelain company presented him with a special commemorative vase to honour his remarkable achievements.
the picture on the vase, by ceramic artist harry davis, shows bradman at the crease and worcester cathedral in the background.
it is now kept in the bradman collection museum at the adelaide oval.
bradman’s last innings at new road attracted record crowds, with people queuing from 6am, and 14,000 filling new road to bursting point. he did not let them down and scored 107.
during that stay in the city, the tourists visited the royal worcester porcelain factory where they autographed a gold plate featuring the cathedral.
the plate along with others commemorating previous visits is displayed in the museum of australian sport at melbourne cricket ground.
