BRETT D’Oliveira dedicated his first half-century for Worcestershire in the Rapids’ NatWest T20 Blast derby clash with Birmingham Bears to his late father.
The emotional 23-year-old acknowledged the applause of his team-mates and the capacity crowd after reaching the milestone off just 29 balls.
But the all-rounder also looked skywards in acknowledgement of his late father Damian, the former Worcestershire player and academy director, who passed away just over a year ago.
He followed up his half century with 3-29 as the Rapids qualified for the quarter finals of the Natwest T20Blast with a 74 run win over Yorkshire Vikings on Tuesday evening (July 14).
Brett, who signed a new two-year contract at the end of last season, said: “It has been an emotional year. That time out there in the middle was also an emotional time.
“I always give thanks to the old man (Damian) because I know he will be up there looking down on me.
“I try and do him proud every single day and I’m sure he would have loved to have watched that 50.”
Although D’Oliveira was delighted to reach the half-century milestone, he admits any personal pleasure was lessened because of the Bears’ five-wicket win with three balls to spare.
“Yes, it means a lot, but unfortunately it doesn’t mean a lot when you don’t win the game,” Brett said.
“The boys worked really hard all game. It was unfortunate we couldn’t get the win as we played really well but there are always things we can improve on,” he added.
D’Oliveira’s maiden 50 followed on from him regaining his spot in the county’s LV= County Championship side in the recent win over Hampshire at New Road.
He battled away in Worcestershire’s only innings to make a determined 19 and impressed with the ball with figures of 1-36 from 18 overs.
Brett said: “It’s been going well this year with the bat and the ball. I’ve been doing quite well in the second team and I’m just enjoying my cricket at the moment.”
“If I can keep doing that then I’ll go a bit further in the game.
“I want to play all formats for Worcestershire County Cricket Club and, if I can do that and win games, that will be even better,” he added.