WORCESTERSHIRE CCC Bowling Coach Alan Richardson has praised the impact made with the ball by Brett D’Oliveira after seizing the opportunity to become a vital component of the attack during the early part of the campaign.

The all-rounder has stepped forward impressively to provide invaluable support to the County’s four-pronged seam attack in the draws against Essex Derbyshire.

D’Oliveira bowled 36.4 overs in one innings against the reigning champions – his highest ever number – and finished with 3-95 and then followed it up with 1-41 from 19 overs in the first innings against Derbyshire.

He is thriving on the challenge after limited opportunities in red-ball cricket in recent seasons. He has bowled more overs than any other Worcestershire player – 79.4 – with only Ed Barnard (eight) having more than his five wickets.

Richardson said: “He’s been fantastic. It’s a tough job for a leg spinner in England in April, and Brett has done a fantastic job already for us in these first two games.

“His role in the side could be anything from trying to hold (contain) the game to try to win us the game in the later stages or later on in the season as the wickets dry up.

“Probably over the last few years, he’s probably not had much of an opportunity to bowl a great deal. We have played on some seam-friendly wickets, so he hasn’t had those chances.

“But he has worked incredibly hard on his game all-round really – not just with the bat but his bowling as well.

“He is always willing, always wants to bowl, always wants to put his hand up and practice, and he has put a lot of work in, has got himself in excellent shape, which has enabled him to practice well. At the moment, he is bowling really, really well.”