WORCESTERSHIRE have parted company with opening batsman Richard Oliver whose contract expired at the end of the 2015 season.

The County offered a new one-year deal to Oliver, who signed an initial contract in June 2014 after impressing when on trial after playing in the NatWest T20 Blast.

But Oliver wanted to return to Australia this winter and play for Geelong whereas Worcestershire were keen for him to remain with the County instead and work on aspects of his batting at Malvern College.

Worcestershire director of cricket Steve Rhodes said: "Richard has got a fond association with Australia, particularly Geelong, in the winters and he was desperate to get out there again this winter.

"We actually felt there were areas in his game we would have liked him to try and improve at home this winter.

"We reached a situation where we couldn't find a solution to the problem and so sadly he rejected his contract offer."

All Worcestershire's players are under 12-month contracts and whether or not they play abroad during the winter is subject to the approval of the County.

Oliver played in the first 12 LV= County Championship matches in 2015, scoring 101 versus Sussex at Hove and 99 against Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge.

But he did not reach 50 in any other Championship innings and was averaging 21.52 when replaced by Brett D'Oliveira as Daryl Mitchell's opening partner.