Triumphing at the iconic Home of Cricket for the first time in 16 years was a landmark achievement in itself, but for one esteemed member of the Pears squad, it was a particularly significant few days…
In his 369th match for the Club across all formats, Club Captain Brett D’Oliveira passed a special personal milestone during the first innings of the match, by recording his fiftieth half-century in Worcestershire colours.
Across a glittering career that has spanned over 16 illustrious seasons, it was apt that the Pears’ talisman would pass the landmark on the back of a typically inspirational knock, setting his side on course for a hard-fought victory over Middlesex, in the opening sways of the new Rothesay County Championship season.
Departing for a crucial 75, the middle-order batter acknowledged the warm applause from both his teammates and coaches as he left the field – a sight the Worcestershire supporters have become very accustomed to since D’Oliveira’s debut back in 2011.
Bursting onto the scene as a young, leg-spinning all-rounder, the now Club Captain has made a more recent transition into a cornerstone of the Pears’ batting line-up across both formats.
Some stories seem destined from the start, and as Worcestershire’s third-generation D’Oliveira, Brett has more than honoured a cherished family legacy, following in the footsteps of his father, Damian, and grandfather, Basil, in exemplary fashion.
Of his 50 half-centuries, 27 have been recorded in first-class cricket, with eight in the List A arena alongside 15 whilst playing T20 cricket.
Ever humble, the Worcestershire talisman deflected praise for his individual achievement, choosing instead to reminisce about the treasured memories shaped throughout his stellar career at New Road.
“It is nice to reach a bit of a landmark, of course, but I guess I just see that as part and parcel of my role within the team. As long as I am contributing and kicking onto decent scores for the group, then I am happy in that sense.
“None of the scores would be possible without the lads around me helping out and sticking around, so to be able to have those moments out in the middle when you hit those little milestones and celebrate with the boys is always a rewarding part of it.
“It is nice to be able to look back across all three formats with some pretty special memories, from promotion in the County Championship, to winning on Finals Day and last year with the Metro Bank One Day Cup. They are all great memories.
“Hopefully, there are plenty more to come!”
With another summer of opportunity honing into view, all those of a Worcestershire persuasion will be hoping that they can celebrate some more moments of D’Oliveira magic in the years to come, starting next Friday in the side’s opening Rothesay County Championship clash of the summer back at New Road.
