Brett D’Oliveira was delighted to complete his third century of the season after narrowly missing out in the previous home Specsavers County Championship clash with Gloucestershire.
D’Oliveira had scored 93 and 55 in that encounter and played a key role in Worcestershire’s emphatic victory.
This time the opener ended day two versus Leicestershire at New Road unbeaten on 121 as the County closed on 270-4 in reply to Leicestershire’s 404 all out.
D’Oliveira shared in century stands with Daryl Mitchell (58) and George Rhodes (47).
The 25-year-old said: “It was a long knock, it took it out of me a little bit. It was a very decent wicket. The odd ball spun, the odd one nipped around a little bit and application is key and luckily I managed to do that today.
“But it was good to get across the line (and get a century) especially after getting out against Gloucestershire in the 90s and after making 50 which was pretty frustrating.
“It was nice to get across the line and get that big hundred.”
D’Oiveira started off at a rapid pace in his fine innings before settling down to play a major and lengthy innings.
He said: “It came on better with the new ball and skidded onto the bat nicely and the field was up as well and I could cash in on the bad balls.
“I don’t think they quite bowled how they would have liked and it was hitting the middle of the bat and it was nice to get those few away.
“But I thought Ben Raine bowled well all day, he ran in hard and actually got something out of the wicket which was good to see.
“They got it to reverse a little bit in the middle, the odd one spun, and there are a few balls in there but generally it is a good wicket at the moment.”
Rhodes has featured in a series of crucial partnerships in recent matches and D’Oliveira is convinced a major score is around the corner for the all-rounder.
He said: “I’m absolutely gutted for George. He has been playing really well for the last couple of weeks.
“He just hasn’t got that score which reflects that. I’m sure it is just around the corner around him, hopefully in either a second dig here if needed or the last game of the season.
“But I’m pleased he got a few runs under his belt and played really well. He is a good player and works really hard.”
As regards tactics for the remainder of the game, D’Oliveira said: “We are going to see how we go in the morning, try to at least get up to their score, assess the conditions, see where we are in the game and maybe bat past them and try and get Ashwin to work his magic hopefully.
“Leicestershire have probably got 50, 60 runs too many if we are brutally honest, especially with the start we had, three down for not many.
“Credit to their batters, they played really well and I think the pitch is a very good wicketso we will have to bowl very well second dig but we’ve got to get up to their score or maybe past it to start with.”
