Jake Libby to captain Worcestershire Rapids in the Royal London Cup 2022

Jake Libby in action

The Worcestershire County Cricket Club on Thursday (August 4) announced that Jake Libby will captain Worcestershire Rapids for the remainder of the Royal London Cup 2022 campaign.

Libby will take over the captaincy duties from incumbent skipper Brett D’Oliveira, who has been drafted into The Hundred by Birmingham Phoenix as a replacement for batter Tom Abell.

In eight List A appearances for Worcestershire, Libby has scored 239 runs for the club. The right-handed batter will be looking to add more runs to his tally in the ongoing season.

The official red ball vice-captain of Worcestershire will lead the side for the first time in this year's Royal London One-Day Cup when he will take the field against Hampshire at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton.

The Rapids started their campaign on a disappointing note as they lost to Kent Spitfires by seven wickets. Libby will be hoping to help his side bounce back from the high-scoring defeat against Kent at New Road.

Libby replaces D’Oliveira

Bowling Coach Alan Richardson, who's looking after the side for the One-Day Cup with Kadeer Ali in absence of head coach Alex Gidman said: 

"Jake (Libby) will now be captain. He has shown some real interest in leadership roles within the squad, and he is an experienced and very skillful player.

“I’m pleased for Brett (D’Oliveira) that he has got that opportunity with the Phoenix. It is something he has worked hard to get recognition for; he has been really driven and pushed himself.

“That is great for Brett and it gives Jake an opportunity to experience some more leadership and captain the side throughout the competition.

“He has had some experience of it before and stepped in at times for us since he’s been vice-captain and done a really good job. It will be a good experience for him leading the group through these stages.”

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