Worcestershire director of cricket Steve Rhodes
By Matt Somerford
Worcestershire’s promotion to the LV= County Championship top-flight has been dedicated to the club’s late academy director Damian D'Oliveira.
D'Oliveira passed away in June following a two-and-a-half year battle with cancer at the age of 53.
D’Oliveira, the son of Worcestershire and England legend Basil D'Oliveira, was a popular figure at New Road and director of cricket Steve Rhodes’ thoughts quickly turned to him after the promotion-clinching win over Surrey.
“We’re very proud of them and they thoroughly deserve what is a fantastic achievement in getting promotion,” Rhodes told ecb.co.uk.
“Ultimately there’s one guy who would have loved to have enjoyed the celebrations, Damien D’Oliveria, but sadly he is not with us.
“We dedicate this promotion to him.”
Worcestershire have been the yo-yo team of the championship in recent times with this their fifth promotion in the past 12 seasons.
Rhodes is wary that they face their toughest task yet to stay up next season, but believes the team spirit fostered within the club can help them make a mark on the top-flight.
“The dressing-room is a very special place at Worcester and it’s very much our 12th man and some teams we play against haven’t got that – they haven’t got that spirit,” he said.
“It (Division One) is a tough division and I think it is getting tougher as well.
“We’re expecting amazing challenges. To think that Lancashire have struggled this year and certainly Northants, who have been good teams in the past in Division Two.
“We’re well aware of the challenges ahead but we’re optimistic. Our young players have improved as the season has gone on and our better players as well have improved.
“We’ll give it a good shot but in many ways, as this year has proved, it is good to be underdogs.
“We don’t mind the underdogs tag but it will be a challenge.”