A highest ever List A score of 138 from Brett D’Oliveira left the Worcestershire batter “delighted” as he anchored his side’s run chase of 315 against Derbyshire to make it three wins in a row in the Metro Bank One Day Cup and keep the positive momentum rolling.
D’Oliveira took centre stage at Repton school in the Friday afternoon sunshine, as his instrumental innings saw him bat for 43 overs of the chase in composed and classy style, but said batting in the seemingly perfect conditions didn’t quite tell the full story.
After injuring his thumb whilst fielding in the first innings, D’Oliveira went on to stroke 14-fours and five-sixes in a sublime 118 ball stay at the crease.
“I wouldn’t say it felt as smooth as it perhaps looked! But it is just pleasing and I am just really happy to contribute to a win as well, that was great.
“Because of that short side and the fast outfield as well, it always felt that like you could have those bigger overs once you got in but you have to sort of earn the right to be able to do that.”
Full of praise for his bowlers, the Rapids lynchpin highlighted just how vital the comeback was as Ben Allison, Fateh Singh and Khurram Shahzad all took three wickets apiece when the innings was swung on it’s head as Derbyshire collapsed from 267-3 to 315 all-out.
“That fight back from the bowlers was really, really important. Obviously, the boys taking those wickets in that period to get those in batters out was vital, it always felt a little bit difficult to start with.
“So I thought we wrestled that innings back really well and then obviously the chase was really pleasing as well.
In typically unselfish fashion, the Worcestershire club captain palmed off the plaudits from his big hundred, turning attentions to teammate and in-form One Day skipper, Jake Libby.
In a dominant partnership worth 183, Libby added 69 more runs to his remarkable season total that now sits at 283 from the four games played so far, form that is hard to ignore according to D’Oliveira.
“Libs is on fire. He’s obviously been a great performer for us since he joined and I think the last few games has been unbelievable in my eyes, to be honest and it’s almost a shock when he gets out for little runs.
“So yeah, really pleasing to share that partnership with Libs. And as I said, to get that one myself feels good too.”
When D’Oliveira departed, things threatened to turn into a tense and nervy finish for the away side, with 44-runs still required for victory.
It was debutant and 19-year-old sensation Dan Lategan that stood up to the challenge however, and guided his team home with a beautifully composed 44 not-out in a mature display in the middle.
“It’s always a tricky time to come into bat at that point that he did, but I thought his composure was brilliant.
“I thought he stuck to his positive options really well, he is quite an intimidating guy to bowl at, a big guy that hits the ball hard. The way he carried that innings through and to be not out at the end should give him a lot of confidence.”
With victory secured in relatively comfortable fashion in the penultimate over of the match, Gloucestershire now lie in wait for the Rapids, this Sunday.
Ahead of another important fixture at Visit Worcestershire New Road, D’Oliveira is refusing to look any further ahead and is urging his side to keep up their positive approach.
“I think you should always enjoy playing the game of cricket, but it’s important that we don’t look too far ahead.
“We know we’ve got another tough game coming up, so we respect our opposition, absolutely, but we keep playing with that confidence and that freedom, hopefully it will come good.”
