SKIPPER Mark Evenson stressed Bromsgrove cannot allow one of the worst defeats in the club’s history to derail their promotion push in Birmingham League Division One.
The Boars, having won the toss and opted to bat, were left shellshocked after recording their lowest ever total of just 32 in an eight-wickets defeat at home to Barnards Green.
Bromsgrove slipped from second place to sixth after the humiliating loss, but they remain within 22 points of leaders Shifnal and Evenson said the squad is determined to bounce back when they entertain Bridgnorth at St Godwald’s Park tomorrow (Saturday).
“Nobody saw that result coming against Barnards Green – it was a game that went horribly wrong but we have to put it behind us and make sure we bounce back on Saturday,” said Evenson.
“It’s the first time in my career I’ve ever played for a team that has been 10-5 and then been all out for 32. It was the first time in Bromsgrove’s history we’ve lost a wicket with the first ball of the innings, the first time we’ve been 10-5 and the lowest total.
“It was a record-breaking day for all the wrong reasons,” he added.
Opener Jayden Levitt was cleanbowled first ball and Lewis Cordes, Alexei Kervezee, Jack Taylor and Tom Green were all back in the pavilion before the Boars’ innings got to double figures.
Evenson was the only player to get into double figures, scoring 15, as five players were dismissed for ducks and Bromsgrove were hustled out for 32 in the 30th over. Jonathan Dovey claimed 4-12, Worcestershire’s George Rhodes took 3-4 and Phil Harris 3-12.
Barnards Green wasted little time in getting past their target, reaching 34-2 in the ninth over.
“When you’re 10-5 there’s no way back,” said Evenson. “We can’t lose wickets in clusters and that has happened a few times. That’s something we have got to eradicate. There’s time in 55 overs to rebuild an innings.”
Bromsgrove will have Yogi Malhotra back to open the innings in a reshuffled batting order against Bridgnorth on Saturday.
The former Smethwick opener gets a call from the Seconds as the Boars rule out Tom Green through work commitments while Ash Newfield is again ruled out with a shoulder injury.
“Yogi is comfortable against the new ball, so he will open the innings,” said Evenson. “We have got the strength in depth and hopefully Yogi can step up because he has been doing well in the Seconds.”
