BRETT D’Oliveira has been appointed Worcestershire captain for the next three Specsavers County Championship Division One matches.

The all-rounder will take charge initially for Wednesday’s clash with Lancashire at Blackfinch New Road (11am).

D’Oliveira will also skipper the side against Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge from June 25 to 28 and the home fixture with Somerset from July 22 to 25.

Head coach Kevin Sharp has confirmed the appointment of the 26-year-old.

D’Oliveira will lead the side in the absence of skipper Joe Leach who misses the rest of the season with a stress fracture of the back.

It will be a proud moment for D’Oliveira whose potential as an opening batsman was recognised by Sharp when he became second XI coach in 2014 and promoted him up the order.

Sharp said: "Initially the appointment will be for three Championship games, the next three, and then we need to assess where players are and what they are doing.

“He will be honoured and privileged by this and I’m sure he will do a very good job for us.

“It could have been two or three players but he is a lad who is really maturing in terms of character and is highly respected within the dressing room.

“We wanted to keep the Championship captaincy amongst our own, the lads who have grown up within the club, and that’s what we are going to do for this next block of games.

“Then we will reassess where we are at after this next block (of games). We don’t have to rush into things.”