A COUNTY cricketer has been charged with rape.

Alex Hepburn, aged 21, of Diglis, Worcester, was charged with two counts of rape of a woman aged 16 or older.

The charge is in connection with an alleged rape which took place on Saturday, April 1.

Hepburn, an all-rounder for Worcestershire County Cricket Club, will appear at Worcester Magistrates Court on Thursday, December 7.

He has been suspended pending further investigation.

The club also confirmed it is dealing with a disciplinary matter involving its director of cricket Steve Rhodes.

It is alleged that Rhodes did not inform club officials after Hepburn asked him for help following his arrest.

A spokesman for Worcestershire County Cricket Club (CCC) said: "Worcestershire CCC can confirm that Alex Hepburn was charged on the 9th November with two counts of rape following an investigation by West Mercia Police into an incident which occurred on Saturday 1st April 2017.

"As the matter is now subject to criminal proceedings the club is unable to provide any further comment at this stage."

Hepburn moved to England from Australia in 2013.

Having played for Western Australia U17, he represented Worcestershire twice in List A cricket in 2015 and made it into their T20 side in 2017.

Mr Rhodes declined to comment.