LIFE as second XI coach is never easy -- and Damien D'Oliveira will concede to that.

He confronts problems that do not by and large exist in the senior side, problems that require unique man-management skills.

Whereas Worcestershire's first-team is often a semblance of stability, with few player changes between matches, it is rarely the case with the second string.

Wholesale changes are commonplace as player availability alternates from game to game.

And the combination of characters in the side can be a handful, as selected players are regularly plucked from opposite ends of the sport.

"In the second team, it is made up of four different types of players," explains D'Oliveira.

"Firstly, there are first-team players who have been dropped and are looking to get back into the frame. Then first-team players coming back from injury.

"You then have young second-team players coming from the academy that are looking to improve their game. Lastly, we have trialists who come to the side but I don't know a great deal about.

"You must treat them as individuals and treat them all in a different way. First-team players coming into the side may be a bit grumpy and need an arm around their shoulder.

"Trialists are very green and, maybe, you need to have a different sort of chat with them.

"Because of the very nature of the players at your disposal, the second XI side changes from game to game."

As always, the emphasis on Worcestershire's second XI is on improving the game of each player, be it a fledging teenager or a seasoned professional.

Success on the field is an added bonus and the County picked up a huge reward last season when clinching the Second XI Trophy.

But the chance to defend the title this year slipped through their grasp after losing four out of eight matches in the group stage.

However, there were a series of excellent individual performances to please 'Dolly'.

Worcestershire's 'star' of the academy, 19-year-old Steve Davies, stepped back from his first-team emergence to smash 142 at Cheltenham against Gloucestershire.

All-rounder Daryl Mitchell, another first-class debutant this summer, cracked 75 at Warwickshire and posted an unbeaten 150 in this month's three-day Championship draw at Glamorgan.

Other young players are emerging with credit too, including summer-contract players Stuart Wedge and Will Gifford.

Five more Championship XI fixtures lie in wait in the second-half of the season, beginning tomorrow when Worcestershire face Yorkshire at Stamford Bridge cricket ground.

D'Oliveira added: "People look at the second XI in different ways. Our vision is to look to prepare the guys for first-team cricket. If we win it's a real bonus, but that's my number one job."