Worcester: An Australian cricket player raped a sleeping woman after helping to set up a sexual conquest "game" with friends on WhatsApp, an English court has heard.

Perth-born all-rounder Alex Hepburn, who plays county cricket for Worcestershire, is alleged to have attacked the woman in a dark bedroom shortly after she had consensual sex with one of his teammates, Joe Clarke.

Australian cricketer Alex Hepburn has been charged with rape in Worcestershire, England. Credit:Worcestershire County Cricket Club

Jurors heard the victim initially believed she was still in bed with Clarke, who had left the room to be sick, after waking up to find Hepburn performing a sex act on her.

Opening the prosecution's case on Monday, Miranda Moore QC said the alleged victim realised she was not with Clarke when she touched Hepburn's hair and he then spoke in an Australian accent.