Worcestershire dump Bichel

Andy Bichel: disappointing season © Getty Images

Worcestershire have confirmed that Andy Bichel will not be returning to New Road next season, and doubts remain over Andrew Hall's future with the county.

Bichel had a disappointing summer, picking up 33 wickets at 46.93, although he performed better than expected with the bat, cracking 717 runs at 42.17. But he was signed as a bowler, and his poor return was a major factor in Worcestershire's relegation from the first division.

"We haven't made a decision over our two overseas players for next summer but Bichel will definitely not be coming back," Tom Moody, the director of cricket, explained. "He's keen to spend time with his young family and, although he may look to return on a short-term contract for a month or two over here, he does not want to commit to six months."

Hall was another who failed to perform as expected, with 30 relatively expensive wickets. "We have yet to make a decision regarding him," said Moody. "We have left it that way so we can have a little more time to decide. We won't be rushed."