Worcestershire skipper Brett D'Oliveira aiming for promotion

Worcestershire begin their campaign with a trip to Derbyshire at the County Ground and Oliveira is eager to get started, with promotion into Division One the main goal on their minds.

"I think so, it's definitely one of our goals to get promotion," he said.

"Last year there were crucial moments that we didn't quite come out on the right side of and sometimes that was down to us but also a bit of luck.

"We just we need to try and replicate what we did last year because that stood us in good stead and if we can build on that then that is what we want to do."

Brett D;Oliveira will lead Worcestershire for a second year this season (Image: Worcestershire CCC)

It has not been the ideal preparation for The Pears or any of the County Championship sides in the build-up to the new season, with the British weather disrupting pre-season warm-up matches across the country. 

READ MORE | Hose set for Worcestershire debut in County Championship opener

But just like the majority of the squad have already said, D'Oliveira does not believe it will have too much of an impact come game day.

"It would have been nice to have had some more training and game time on the pitch but the fact we got to Desert Springs for some warm weather training in Spain, I am not too worried, the boys are eager to get going and seem ready to go," he added.

"We are all just very excited, we just want to play cricket now. We have done a lot of indoor training but those walls close in on you a bit so it'll be nice to get out and play some cricket. 

"I think we have had enough preparation to put us in a good position and now our focus is on the first game and doing our job."

D'Oliveira will lead a 13-man squad into the contest with Derbyshire, which includes debutant and new signing Adam Hose.

Adam Hose will make his debut for Worcestershire on Thursday (Image: Worcestershire CCC)

Hose signed from Warwickshire at the end of last season and D'Oliveira admits the 30-year-old is "like an overseas signing" for the club.

"He has carried himself brilliantly since he arrived and the experience he has got playing around the world over the winter, he's like an overseas signing for us really. 

"His cricket is in a really good space, he is hitting the ball really well and really far, which is great for us! He will bring great experience and quality to the team but will also provide entertainment for the fans."