Cricket
Former Bears set to do battle

TWO Warwickshire CCC stalwarts will go head-to-head tomorrow when Barnt Green captain Dougie Brown takes his side to do battle with Dominic Ostler’s Berkswell.

Aside from wanting to earn the bragging rights, the Birmingham League Premier Division clash is an important one for Brown and his men as they look to record a first victory of the season.

Two defeats and an abandonment has made it a less than ideal start for the reigning champions but Brown is retaining full faith in his side.

“It is hard to judge anybody at the moment because conditions are incredibly difficult and definitely suiting bowlers.

“Once we have played in a bit of decent weather on a few decent wickets then maybe you can start asking questions if people are not performing, but not at the moment.

“We’ve got some very good players here who are still good players despite things just not going for them at the moment. But as long as we keep doing the basics right, we’ll come good.”

Green were beaten by 74-runs at home against Brockhampton on Saturday after collapsing to 42 all out when chasing the visitors’ 116ao.

Stephen Bevan led the way with the ball in taking 5-31 whilst Brown (2-18), Andrew Sutton (1-27), Richard Wilkinson (1-11) and Nicholas Powell (1-27) also struck.

Richard Wilkinson (15) was the only man to make double figures in reply but Brown said it was just one of those days.

“Despite the way the scoreboard looks there wasn’t really too much between the sides,” he said.

“We went past the edge on numerous occasions whilst it appeared that every time we played half a false stroke it led to a wicket.

“These things happen in cricket but there is no need for us to panic.

“Yes it is disappointing to lose two Saturday games in a row but we won in the National Knockout on Sunday so things are not all bad.”

That victory was a four-wicket home success against Leicester Ivanhoe in which Bevan again impressed, taking 5-12.

Leicester were dismissed for 96 having taken to the middle first before Barnt Green reached victory at 100-6 with Brown top scoring with an unbeaten 20.

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