County Championship: Brett D'Oliveira century puts Worcestershire in command at Leicester

Brett D'Oliveira faced 235 balls in his unbeaten 118 against Leicestershire

An unbeaten century by Brett D'Oliveira in his first match as county captain put Worcestershire in a strong position after day two of their opening Championship match against Leicestershire.

The 30-year-old all-rounder, handed the job after Joe Leach stepped down at the end of last season, compiled a fine, measured innings to finish on 118 not out as the visitors posted a first-innings total of 348.

At the close, Leicestershire were 42-3 in reply, having been 6-3 after Leach and Charlie Morris took early wickets with the new ball.

D'Oliveira had survived a difficult chance at third slip on three on the first evening but otherwise played superbly, backed up by half-centuries from Leach (70) and Ed Barnard (57), in an innings spanning almost six hours.

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He is the first member of the distinguished D'Oliveira cricketing dynasty to be officially appointed county captain, an honour bestowed neither on his late grandfather, celebrated former England all-rounder Basil, nor his late father Damian.

He led the side when Leach was injured during the 2018 season and was skipper in place of Moeen Ali when Worcestershire won the T20 Blast the same season and finished as runners-up the following year.

But he described being given the role in his own name as the fulfilment of a boyhood dream and looked to the heavens in an emotional celebration on reaching his hundred, the ninth of his career in first-class matches.

It came after he had punished a short, wide ball from South African pace bowler Beuran Hendricks with the 14th of his 16 fours, having also lofted a six off left-arm spinner Callum Parkinson.

Leicestershire's Ed Barnes:

"There was an opportunity to bowl them out for under 200 but a couple of partnerships really hurt us. D'Oliveira batted really well on a pitch that we felt flattened out a bit as the day went on. He kept out our good balls and put the bad ones away.

"Leach came at us really hard and we perhaps didn't react as quickly as we should but we will learn from that.

"I was disappointed to go for as many runs as I did. I felt I was a bit loose at times but it was good to start with a three-for and Beuran was unlucky not to pick up some wickets. "

Worcestershire skipper Brett D'Oliveira:

"I'm delighted to scored a century. It will feel even better if we win. My emotions were relief more than anything. It is nice to get over the line so early in what is a big year for myself.

"Ed's knock was tremendous. He started to shift the momentum in the game and Joe's a tremendous ball striker. It's good for him to get some runs. It took the pressure off me a bit that he was hitting the ball so well.

"Joe and Charlie gave us a great start with the ball too and the message will be the same. To keep hitting the good areas, because if you can do that often enough the chances will come."

Report supplied by PA Media.