BRETT D’Oliveira has hailed the “huge” influence on his career of new Worcestershire head coach Kevin Sharp.

The Worcester-born player was batting in the lower order for the County seconds when Sharp came into the role four years ago.

But he quickly promoted D’Oliveira up the order and then into the opening role.

The 26-year-old has not looked back since slotting into the same position with the senior side two-and-a-half years ago.

Now D’Oliveira can make a big impression in the West Indies in the North versus South series and for the MCC against Essex in the traditional Champion County match.

He said: “It’s great to be out there and it’s an opportunity to get your name up in lights so to speak.

“It’s all about trying to take that opportunity but also trying to enjoy it.

"I know a few of the lads who are going so it will be nice to catch up with them.”

D’Oliveira was called up into the England Lions squad two years ago and spoke glowingly about the impact of Sharp on his career.

He said: “My dad (Damian) was obviously a massive influence on me and then Kevin came in and was huge for me.

“He gave me the opportunity to bat higher up the order for the seconds and allowed me to score some more runs which happened fortunately.

“I’ve got a lot to thank Sharpy for. He’s a good man, very trustworthy and honest and if there is something wrong he’s always one of the first people I go to.

“He is very good. He is not only good as a coach with his technical stuff but just talking mentally with him.

“He is very good at pumping your tyres up but also being very straight with you, saying I think you need to work on this or something else.

“He’s just good all-round and it’s nice to have him at the top (as head coach).”

D’Oliveira scored nearly 900 Championship runs last summer and was a key performer as Worcestershire gained promotion back to Division One.

But he also reinforced his contribution in white-ball cricket with his economical leg-spin bowling.

D’Oliveira conceded only 4.84 runs per over as Worcestershire reached the semi-finals of the Royal London One-Day Cup and only Mitchell Santner bowled tidier than his 6.82 economy rate in the T20 Blast.