Worcestershire Rapids will have to make do without club captain Brett D'Oliveira for their Royal London Cup campaign after he was drafted by the Birmingham Phoenix for The Hundred campaign.

D’Oliveira becomes the sixth Worcestershire player to be drafted into the second edition of the competition, which gets underway this week.

He has enjoyed a successful campaign with the Rapids in this year’s Vitality Blast, scoring 315 runs – a figure only topped by Colin Munro – at a strike rate of 148.16.

D’Oliveira was also Worcestershire’s most economical bowler, conceding 7.41 runs per over and the second highest wicket-taker with 12 scalps behind Pat Brown.

He follows in the footsteps of Jack Haynes, Pat Brown and Muhammad Hasnain (Oval Invincibles), Moeen Ali (Birmingham Phoenix) and Mitchell Stanley (Manchester Originals) in being selected.

D’Oliveira said: "It’s great to have this opportunity to test myself against some of the best white ball players around.

"I know the Phoenix did tremendously well last year in reaching the final, and Dillon (Pennington) and Pat (Brown) said it was a great learning experience.

"That is how I am looking at it as well, to try and help the team do well again but also to pick up some knowledge which will only be of benefit when I return to New Road.

"I’m also confident that the Rapids can continue to compete and challenge in the One Day Cup, and it’s all about small margins and getting those right."

Jake Libby, Worcestershire’s official red ball vice-captain, will lead the side in the Royal London Cup for the remainder of the campaign.

The Rapids opened up their tournament in mid-week, losing to Kent Spitfires by seven wickets.

But that did not tell the whole story, as the hosts batted well to reach 351 before a remarkable innings' from Kent's Ollie Robinson, 206 not-out, saw the visitors to victory.

Kashif Ali hit a maiden List A century on debut for the county and Ben Cox hit 69 on his return to cricket following a spell out of the game.

The 2022 edition of the competition continues today as Worcestershire make the trip to Hampshire, before they are again on the road on Sunday when they go head-to-head with Yorkshire Vikings in Scarborough.

Worcestershire then return to County Championship cricket in September.