RICHARD Oliver and Saeed Ajmal have suffered their red-ball struggles lately but will be glad to have the full backing of Worcestershire skipper Daryl Mitchell.

Former Shropshire minor counties opener Oliver, 25, was twice dismissed for six in the draw with Middlesex at Uxbridge in LV= County Championship Division One.

Pakistan veteran Ajmal, who had to remodel his bowling action after it was ruled to be illegal, has only claimed one Championship victim with his off-spin since starting a third spell with the promoted New Road outfit.

The 37-year-old took his wicket against Middlesex, bowling opener Nick Gubbins, while sending down 65 overs in two matches — although he has had more joy in the NatWest T20 Blast.

Oliver scored 27 and just two in the home Championship thrashing by Warwickshire earlier this month and the left-handed batsman is way down the division’s batting averages with 21.36.

But Worcestershire-born captain Mitchell, 31, jumped to the defence of his opening batting partner and County’s overseas signing.

He said: “The pitches haven’t helped Saeed so far for sure but he’s also still not played a lot of red-ball cricket since remodelling his action.

“He bowled some fantastic deliveries down at Middlesex and his doosra beat the outside edge.

“Saeed will go from strength to strength and is a good bloke to have around.

“In white-ball cricket, he’s been getting better with every game and has created pressure by making it difficult for the opposition to score.

“He was key to the T20 win at Durham earlier this month (with a maiden and 3-16).

“The figures would suggest my opening partnership with Rich has struggled in recent times.

“But Rich has had a couple of stinking decisions in games and not a lot of luck.

“He’s a good cricketer and a clean striker of the ball.

“As his opening partner especially, I want to see him turn his form around.”