Rhodes backs Dolly to grab his opportunity - The Worcester Observer

Rhodes backs Dolly to grab his opportunity

Worcester Editorial 1st May, 2016 Updated: 19th Oct, 2016   0

DIRECTOR of Cricket Steve Rhodes hopes players such as Brett D’Oliveira will seize the opportunity to develop their games in the season ahead.

The promising all-rounder is set to be the Pears front-line spinner after Moeen Ali joins up with the England squad but Rhodes said he had every confidence in the young leg spinner.

Moeen began the first of his three Championship games with the trip to Gloucestershire on Sunday but is expected to play a full part in England’s busy summer of cricket.

With test matches against Sri Lanka and Pakistan as well as a host of one day internationals and T20 games, Moeen’s appearances at New Road will be reduced.




But Rhodes is not worried about the young all-rounder’s workload and hailed the fact he would also bat in the top six as fantastic.

“He finished last season with a five wicket haul and he’s bowling is getting better and better,” he said.


“Like we did with Moeen, we aren’t frightened to give people the opportunity to grow.

“When Gareth Batty left we didn’t try and halt Moeen’s progress by signing another spinner and wanted to develop our own.

“We gave Moeen the chance and look where he is now, we’ll do the same with Brett D’Oliveria and give him the opportunity.

“There are a couple of lads as well in the second team and they may well force their way in,” he added.

Rhodes also confirmed hard-hitting all-rounder Ross Whiteley was looking into adding left-arm spin to his game.

“It’s something he wants to do, so the ball is in his court. He’s already spending time in the nets with Norman Gifford so we’ll see how it develops,” he said.

The Pears boss also expressed his hopes for New Zealand pace bowler Matt Henry’s spell at New Road.

 

“He regularly knocks over international openers and if he can reach that sort of form for us and do some damage early then that will be terrific for the club,” Rhodes said.

“He’ll enjoy English conditions in April and May and if I was a batsman facing him I know I would be in for a battle,” he added.

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