FORMER Yorkshire batting coach Kevin Sharp will be joining Worcestershire to cover for the absence of Damian D’Oliveira due to health issues.

New Road academy director D’Oliveira has been battling cancer for some time and is currently off work while he undergoes radiotherapy treatment.

County chief executive David Leatherdale said: “At the moment, Damian is undergoing some radiotherapy treatment for cancer that will be ongoing for a period of time.

“Kevin has been brought in to cover Damian’s role and work 90 per cent with our second team.

“He will be with us on a full-time contract until September.

“Kevin has all the attributes having worked with Yorkshire previously in his career and he will be starting with us on Friday.

“He has been doing some one-to-one coaching with our players since January.”

Sharp, 55, spent five years as batting coach at Headingley and worked with Minor Counties side Shropshire either side of his time in Yorkshire.