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The England and Wales Cricket Board have agreed that the 50-over domestic competition, currently sponsored by Cheltenham & Gloucester, will include a semi-final round in 2007.

Hugh Morris, ECB’s deputy chief executive, announced that the decision had been taken by the ECB board.

Mr Morris said: ‘There were extremely strong cricketing reasons for reintroducing a semi final stage in next year’s competition.

‘The introduction of semi-finals will increase the intensity of the competition during the popular regional group stages. This move will benefit the players and the spectators alike.’

Worcestershire’s last C&G game for 2006 takes place at New Road on Sunday against Yorkshire. The action starts at 10.45am.

This year’s Cheltenham & Gloucester Trophy Final will take place at Lord’s on Saturday August 26 between Sussex and either Durham or Lancashire.

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Graeme Hick has struck his 100th century for Worcestershire today, during the Liverpool Victoria Championship match against Northamptonshire at New Road.

Graeme finished day one on 93 not out. His overnight score included 10 fours and 1 six off 167 balls.

It didn’t take long for Hick to add the seven required runs to his overnight total. As he flicked the ball off his legs to take a single from Nicholson, he lifted his bat to the Players’ balcony and was greeted by rapturous applause and a standing ovation.

With a total of 130 first class hundreds to his name, he has now surpassed the achievements of Len Hutton and occupies eighth place on the all time list, behind names such as Geoff Boycott, Walter Hammond and Jack Hobbs.

Director of Cricket, Steve Rhodes, said: “Graeme has achieved something that not many people can dream of doing. His hundredth hundred is a true reflection of what he has done for Worcestershire County Cricket Club over the course of his career.

“I consider myself extremely fortunate to be amongst those - Damian D’Oliveira and David Leatherdale are two others - who have watched Graeme’s successes unfold and it has been fantastic to watch him score many of his hundreds over the years.

“We all have great memories. Perhaps the thing I most remember from his heyday was his strength. We would watch from the balcony as, time after time, he would hit a yorker straight back past the bowler for four: something incredibly difficult to do and which gave rise to the dressing room saying “You can’t bowl there to Hicky!”

“We all whole heartedly congratulate him on reaching this significant landmark.”

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