WORCESTERSHIRE have changed their coaching set-up after the recent death of assistant coach-academy director Damian D’Oliveira.

Steve Rhodes will continue in his joint role as director of cricket-head coach with Matt Mason combining the assistant coach-bowling coach positions.

The new appointments see former Yorkshire batsman Kevin Sharp take on the role of second eleven coach-batting coach with Worcestershire Cricket Board performance manager Elliot Wilson becoming academy coach.

Rhodes, Mason and Sharp will also work with Wilson in coaching the academy – all four of the quartet are highly regarded level four coaches, the highest level achievable – while Wilson will also assist with coaching the current playing staff when academy commitments permit.

Rhodes said: “The academy role has become far more demanding and in order to continue to develop our crop of emerging young cricketers, we’ve gone from a three-man coaching team to a four-man line-up. I have the two people that I wanted to work with me and Matt to support all the team and players across all age groups.”

Sharp has already been taking care of the second eleven duties in a temporary role during the first half of the current campaign during D’Oliveira’s absence.

The 55-year-old said: “I’m delighted to be taking on this role and it is a great pleasure to be back at this level again. I’ve missed it the last couple of years and it is a bit special.”

Wilson was previously cricket development officer for Lincolnshire followed by a role as performance manager for the Isle of Wight area.