Cricket
Green pay price for slow start

BARNT Green failed to recover from making the worst possible start at Himley on Saturday as they fell to a six-wicket Birmingham League Premier Division defeat.

The 2011 champions, who sit sixth and entertain bottom of the table Wellington tomorrow, were in instant trouble after being put in as openers James Ord and Nathan Newport were both back in the pavilion without a run on the board.

After rain had delayed the start of proceedings, and reduced the contest to 35 overs per side, Ord was the first to fall when caught and bowled by Rajat Bhatia (2-38) before Newport followed quickly after, bowled by Nathan Round (2-26).

Tom Burton and Richard Wilkinson steadied the ship somewhat by adding 34 for the third wicket but Stuart Wedge ended their partnership when having Burton caught by Jagbir Dhillon for 24.

Green’s best partnership of the match followed as Wilkinson and Craig Crowe put on 60 for the fourth wicket.

Crowe’s 40 (four fours, one six) came at a run-a-ball but he fell bowled to Ashfak Hussain (2-49) who also got rid of Wilkinson (41) to make it 107-5.

Captain Dougie Brown and Kieran Rees both fell cheaply as Himley began controlling proceedings again before a couple of late lusty blows from Nicholas Powell (17no) and Andrew Sutton (9no) took the final total to 136-7.

Himley did not have things all their own way in reply as Powell and Sutton picked up three early wickets to give the visitors a glimmer of hope.

Powell (2-21) had Chris Tranter (20) caught by Sutton and bowled Round (1) whilst Sutton trapped Bhatia (4) lbw to make it 38-3.

Opener Greg Wright was still there though and once joined by Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Himley powered their way towards the winning line.

Wright finished unbeaten on 54 and Kohler-Cadmore made 39 before falling to Wilkinson (1-21) just before the end as Himley reached victory at 137-4 with nine overs remaining.

BROMSGROVE’S Division One trip to Whitchurch was abandoned in the 21st over with the home side 56-2.

Mark Evenson’s side, who sit third, will hope the weather is kinder when they entertain Division One league leaders Wombourne tomorrow.

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