Brett D'Oliveira agrees four-year extension to renew Worcestershire relationship

D'Oliveira oversaw a second-placed finish in 2023, sealing promotion with a century that took Worcestershire to within one run of the batting point required to confirm their place in Division One

Worcestershire club captain Brett D'Oliveira has followed up leading his boyhood club to County Championship promotion with a new long-term contract.

D'Oliveira, whose family name is steeped in the county's history, oversaw a second-placed finish in 2023, sealing promotion with a century that took Worcestershire to within one run of the batting point required to confirm their place in Division One.

That run followed after his unfortunate dismissal, and D'Oliveira's side – who battled for the second half of the season against announcements of impending player departures – completed an unlikely achievement.

"It was special to lead the side to promotion and gives you the hunger for more of the same thing," he said, after signing through to the end of the 2027 campaign.

"Going into Division One presents a different challenge, a tougher challenge, but one I know the group are looking forward to, and so am I. I actually do feel some of my best years are ahead of me. I don't feel 31 going on 32 which is great.

"I still feel 18, probably the biggest kid within the group, and that banter and being with the boys, I still absolutely love it. I've got so much more to give, and so many more years to play hopefully, and let’s just concentrate on these four years, but hopefully there is a bit more after that as well."

^{Brett D'Oliveira led Worcestershire to Division Two promotion in 2023 (Michael Steele/Getty Images)}

Alan Richardson, Worcestershire's head coach, called D'Oliveira "a vital player" with an influence that "extends beyond the field, bringing enthusiasm, energy and leadership to the team".

Worcestershire have gone some way to filling the void left by the likes of Dillon Pennington, Josh Tongue, Jack Haynes, Pat Brown and Ben Cox, all of whom have moved on.

Tom Taylor has joined from Northamptonshire, Nathan Smith has arrived as an all-format overseas player, Ethan Brookes has made the short journey from Warwickshire, Rob Jones joined on loan in 2023 ahead of a permanent move from Lancashire, Yadvinder Singh has been brought in via the South Asian Cricket Academy, and Usama Mir will return for the T20 Blast.

Josh Cobb, The Cricketer understands, is in talks following his departure from Northamptonshire.

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