WORCESTERSHIRE have received encouraging news about the fitness of club captain Brett D’Oliveira as the Pears get set for a brief respite from four-day cricket following a hectic start to the campaign.
D’Oliveira was struck on the hand when batting during the final day of the LV=Insurance County Championship match with Gloucestershire at New Road.
The all-rounder was forced to retire injured shortly before lunch and went for an hospital x-ray.
But concerns about him being side-lined for a lengthy spell have proved unfounded.
Head coach Alan Richardson, said: “Brett is okay. He went off to hospital and had an x-ray and, as it stands, it is all clear.
“It is pretty shaken up at the moment and it is a bit sore.
“But Brett is a very hard type of character and it takes a lot for him to come off the field.
“A couple of days of icing it and getting some painkillers, and seeing where he stands after that.”
The New Road chief was speaking ahead of a mini-break with the Pears next in action next Thursday (May 4) when Cheteshwar Pujara inspired Sussex are the visitors to New Road.
Eight points from the washed out Gloucestershire game means Worcestershire will head into the break lying in second spot behind Durham.
They were set a 301 target in 84 overs by Gloucestershire and were on 51-4 at lunch when the final two sessions were washed out.
Richardson, said: “The weather seems to be a bit of a theme so far this year. I don’t think we’ve played a game that hasn’t been affected by the weather.
“You have to try and dodge the showers and it was frustrating, I guess more so for Gloucestershire than us if I’m honest.
“An up and down game? That would be an understatement! Bit of a roller coaster that first day, one of the longest days I’ve had in terms of cricket.
“It felt like we experienced all kind of emotions throughout that and fair play to Gloucestershire. We got our noses in front early on in the piece and they fought back really well.