KEMPSEY all-rounder Sam O’Neill has hailed the influence of former Worcestershire County Cricket Club academy director Damian D’Oliveira.

Sam, who struck an impressive 153 for Kempsey at Halesowen thirds, was part of the Worcestershire academy between the ages of 14 and 19.

His latest effort with the bat wins him a £25 Fearnley Factory Shop voucher as the Worcester News player of the week.

Sam grew up playing with the likes of current Worcestershire first teamers Ben Cox and Brett D’Oliveira.

He says Damian, who died last summer, was a big influence in his formative cricketing years.

“When I was a young player, I looked up to Damian D’Oliveira, who was a fantastic man and a brilliant coach, and I learned so much from him,” said Sam.

“I am still very close to Brett, with whom I played across all the Worcestershire age-groups.”

Sam, 23, a former Millfield School pupil, who has previously had trials with Kent and Somerset, has been in top form for Kempsey in Division Four of the Worcestershire League.

Sam, who lives in St Peter’s, has also played for Ombersley and Evesham in the Birmingham League.

Kempsey are skippered by Sam’s younger brother, Zak O’Neill.

Zak made 110 as the pair both hit centuries and posted a third-wicket stand of 250 in Kempsey’s 159-run battering of Halesowen thirds at Earls High School.

The brothers came together at 19-2 and propelled table-topping Kempsey to 341- 8 from their 50 overs.

Halesowen were then shot out for 182 with Adam Hunaban (4-13), Steve Winstanley (3-50) and Sam (2-27) sharing the wickets.

Sam said: “I stopped playing cricket for a bit when I went to university and when I came back last summer my brother asked me if I wanted to play for Kempsey. I like the social side and they are all a great bunch of lads.”

He added: “My brother and me are very competitive and we always try to out-score each other. It’s not a bad thing and I think it brings the best out of each other.”