worcestershire are hopeful all-rounder brett d’oliveira will return for the finale of the season after he fractured his right thumb during the vitality blast encounter with derbyshire at New Road last week.
d’oliveira, the county’s official white ball vice-captain, was bowling when he sustained the injury fielding a return shot from derbyshire batsman leus du plooy.
he went for an x-ray on thursday and then a specialist in leeds on friday and is earmarked to back playing in six weeks.
worcestershire head of sports science and medicine, ben davies, said: “brett got struck on his right thumb during the vitality blast match against derbyshire.
“he went for an x-ray and an ultra-sound the next morning which revealed a fracture at the base of his thumb.
“he’s also got a grade two sprain of one of the ligaments in his thumb as well.
“brett saw a specialist in headingley on friday during our game against yorkshire and was fitted with a special cast and his return to playing will be around six weeks.
“he will probably make it back for the last three championship matches and finals day (in the blast) if we get there.”
d’oliveira has been in fine form since he came back into the side for the specsavers county championship match with sussex at kidderminster in late june.
he has captained the rapids to second spot in the blast north group.
