Worcestershire v Sussex at New Road – Day 1
Worcestershire first innings 338 for five off 96 overs
Brett D’Oliveira struck his second century in two games since becoming Worcestershire CCC club captain on the opening day of the LV= Insurance County Championship match with injury-hit Sussex at New Road.
The 30-year-old followed up his unbeaten 134 against Leicestershire at the Uptonsteel County Ground with another superb knock of 106 not out to steer his side to 338 for five by the close.
Opener Ed Pollock’s rapid 77 got the innings off to a flying start and then D’Oliveira and Ed Barnard, who made 75, pressed home the advantage during a fifth wicket partnership of 166.
Sussex stuck to their task on a wicket which was not straightforward for batting with some movement all day.
But they were left to regret Tom Alsop at first slip dropping D’Oliveira on 19 off Henry Crocombe.
Worcestershire ended the day in a position of strength and looking to press on for maximum batting points tomorrow morning.
D’Oliveira took over the captaincy from Joe Leach this summer and is certainly so far thriving on the extra responsibility.
He is the first member of his famous cricketing family to be Worcestershire’s official captain, a feat not achieved by grandfather Basil or father Damian.
D’Oliveira has been described as the “heartbeat” of the team by head coach Alex Gidman and told to make no changes to his approach after becoming captain.
Sussex were decimated by injuries and handed a debut to all-rounder, Grant Stewart, and pace bowler, George Burrows.
Stewart, 28, has made the temporary switch from Kent and has played six T20Is for Italy, while Burrows, 23, has moved to Hove on a short-term contract after being released by Lancashire last summer.
Steven Finn, Fynn Hudson-Prentice, George Garton, Dan Ibrahim and Jack Carson are all sidelined along with England paceman Jofra Archer.
Fellow England bowler Ollie Robinson is unavailable because he needs dental treatment after suffering a tooth infection.
But he travelled with the team to New Road to continue training ahead of a return to action next week.
D’Oliveira, opted to bat on winning the toss and New Road looked a picture in warm sunshine with a sizeable crowd watching cricket at the ground in April for the first time in three years.
