Worcestershire Club Captain Brett D’Oliveira is “really hopeful” he will not require further surgery on his shoulder this winter and that he should be “absolutely fine” in terms of his fitness for next season.
D’Oliveira produced a string of crucial contributions with the bat against Kent, Essex and Warwickshire on his return to the side for the finale of the Vitality County Championship after having extensive rehab during the Metro Bank One Day Cup.
It mirrored the run of form he demonstrated 12 months ago when making a surprise comeback after initially suffering the shoulder setback.
D’Oliveira led the side in impressive fashion to promotion in the County Championship and scored a vital century in the final game against Yorkshire at Headingley.
Now he has played a major role in ensuring Worcestershire will be playing Division One cricket for a second successive season with four fifty plus scores in succession.
D’Oliveira said: “Do I feel fitter after the rehab? I wouldn’t say I feel fitter but I think the pain management is at a level that I can manage.
“I just think maybe feel a little bit fresher. I haven’t played as much cricket as I would have liked but in hindsight that might be of benefit, I’m not really sure.
“Do I need more surgery? Not entirely sure but I’m really hopeful that I won’t need more surgery.
“I think it’s just a matter of a sustained period of time off from playing cricket and hopefully that should do the trick.
“I’m hoping over the winter going into next season it should be absolutely fine.”
Reflecting on his superb form in August and September during 2024 and 2025, D’Oliveira said: “Maybe it’s something to do with the wickets and they flatten out a bit and I can play some more shots.
“But it’s just been really pleasing that I’ve been able to contribute to the team and to get that win at Essex was amazing really.
“Frustrating that I’ve only got four fifties and no hundreds in that run recently and I definitely would have liked to go on and convert those.
“But I’ve only got myself to blame and I’ll just keep looking forward to the next game and try and keep that form going.”
