DARYL Mitchell insists Worcestershire must look to a “fresh start” without Steve Rhodes despite hailing the influence of the former director of cricket.

Rhodes left New Road having guided the club to the County Championship Division Two title in 2017.

The club never officially released their reasons for the departure of Rhodes, a club stalwart of some 33 years as a player, coach and in the top job.

It came 15 days after ESPN broke accusations that Rhodes had hidden from the club that Worcestershire’s Alex Hepburn had been facing rape allegations.

Hepburn was subsequently charged and faces a trial in January 2019.

But 34-year-old Mitchell, who served as captain for six years under Rhodes, insisted it had not made for a turbulent winter with Kevin Sharp promoted from within to be head coach.

“It is important to remember the contribution Steve gave to this club, firstly as a player and then as a coach,” said Mitchell.

“He has had a big influence on the careers of everyone in our dressing room but as players the stuff that goes on in the boardroom is out of your hands.

“It was a shock more than anything. We were surprised by the magnitude of it all but overall you have to remember you cannot do anything about it and have to look forward to getting on with things.

“Come that first week in January when you report back for the cricket-specific training, everyone looks forward.

“I can only speak for myself but I don’t think it had too much of an effect. There was not too much talk about things in the dressing room. We just got on with doing our jobs.

“We had a fair bit of continuity there with Kevin. Everyone has a good relationship with him.

“With Alan Richardson and Alex Gidman coming back in, they are ex-players who know the lads and the set-up very well.

"While there has been change, it feels like there is plenty of continuity as well.

“It is a fresh start and we are looking forward to the challenge of Division One cricket.”