WORCESTERSHIRE head coach Kevin Sharp praised all-rounder Brett D’Oliveira for playing through the pain barrier in the County Championship Division One opener at Hampshire.

D’Oliveira suffered a shoulder setback in the pre-match warm-up but declared his willingness to take part and was passed fit.

The opening batsman did not bowl his spin in the seam-friendly conditions but was available if required.

The 26-year-old, who enjoyed a successful spell for the North versus the South and the MCC against the Champion County in the Caribbean, is fit to play in Friday’s clash with Somerset at Taunton (11am).

Sharp said: “Brett fell over and hurt his shoulder in the warm-up prior to the game but he was determined that he was playing — and that’s what you want.

“It was quite painful but he was passed fit to play.

“He did play with some discomfort but just got on with it and never complained.

“It wasn’t the game for a spinner really given the conditions although Brett would have done so if he had been needed.

“The good thing is he is OK for Friday as well.”

It will be the battle of the Australian left-handers in the Division One clash at the Cooper Associates County Ground.

Travis Head gave an early indication of his class when making 45 not out for Worcestershire in the 196-run defeat to Hampshire at the Ageas Bowl.

The South Australian will be up against Test opener and Queensland batsman Matt Renshaw who has replaced Cameron Bancroft as Somerset’s 2017 overseas player.

Head, 24, and Renshaw, 22, last came up against each other at the end of February in a Sheffield Shield encounter.

Yorkshire-born Renshaw scored 112 in the first innings and Head replied with 85 when South Australia batted for a second time.

The pair have had contrasting Aussie careers with Head having played 34 one-day internationals and 10 T20s while still striving for a Test breakthrough.

Renshaw’s appearances for Australia have all been in Tests and he played his 11th game against South Africa in Johannesburg this month.

Head is available for all cricket at Blackfinch New Road up to and including September 15 apart from a spell in June when Australia have an ODI series in England.