CAPTAIN Mark Whitehead bemoaned a lack of discipline in shot selection as Avoncroft slumped to a five-wicket defeat to Rushwick in their Worcestershire County League Division Three opener.
After sitting at 115-4 on Saturday, a total collapse of Croft’s lower and middle order saw the visitors only add on an extra 18 runs as they were bowled out for 133 after 44 overs.
David Anson top scored with 40 but Croft’s final six batsmen failed to hit above five as Lewis Hooper (5-59) and Niwantha Indima (3-36) did the damage with the ball.
And a sub-150 score proved easy going for Rushwick as they reached 134-5 after 27.5 overs to claim victory.
“We let ourselves down with our batting,” said Whitehead.
“Some of it we could put down to early season rustiness.
“However, in other cases it is a lack of discipline in the shot selection.
“It’s a familiar pattern from last season which we need to put right this year to withstand any chance of winning games.”
Croft entertain Alvechurch & Hopwood on Saturday (1pm start) who were relegated from Division Two last season.
Outgoing skipper Craig Hughes and Dan Elliott both return to the line-up this weekend and Whitehead is hoping to get a regular squad out this season.
“In a broader sense, the target is about having a stable core to the team, something we have struggled with for a number of seasons,” he said.
“But the biggest thing we need to change in our game approach is about batting time – too often we play the game as if it is a 20/20.
“If we can change that and accumulate some decent scores, I feel confident that with the bowling attack I have, we could be aiming for a top four finish.”
