BROMSGROVE skipper Mark Evenson is excited by the return of the cricket season as his side travel to Old Hill this weekend.
Old Hill narrowly missed out on promotion last season after finishing third but despite their baptism of fire, Bromsgrove are firing on all cylinders ahead of their season opener in Division One of the Worcestershire County League on Saturday (April 30).
New keeper and batsman Ben Tegg from Worcestershire Academy, Indian off-spinner Yogesh Malhotra from Smethwick and Alexie Kervezee are in contention to start the match.
Right-arm seamer Graham Whiles and left-arm seamer Alex Wilkinson are to open the bowling for Bromsgrove while Ashley Newfield and Jayden Levitt will lead the batting line-up.
“It’s been a long time coming but I’m very much looking forward to getting the season underway,” Evenson said.
“We had a successful friendly against Barnt Green where the lads got some time out in the middle which was good to see despite the wash out over pre-season.
“Old Hill are one of those sides that find a way of getting results, however if we can get the basics right we are confident we can walk away with the points as we’re good at the win/lose format.”
Bromsgrove go into Saturday’s clash on the back of an impressive friendly against Barnt Green where Evenson’s side notched up a total of 341-6 in 45 overs to win by 73 runs.
Tegg top scored with 138 with other notable performances coming from Levitt (62), Tom Hill (57) and Newfield (44).
Alex Wilkinson (3-54), Levitt (2-16), Newfield (1-23) and Nick Husbands (1-33) got the wickets for Bromsgrove.
Matt Lambe top scored for Barnt Green with 73 from 67 with good support from the middle order of Sutton, Brown and Crouch as Barnt Green finished on 268-8.
Josh Searle took six wickets as the Thirds got off to a winning start at Oldswinford & Stourbridge Social.
Ali Hickman and Ben Johnson put early pressure on the OS&SS batters who then tried to push the pace against Searle and the equally frugal Matt Banham.
The home team were eventually bowled out for 125, 100 runs short of their target set mainly thanks to Mike Bennison (76) and Paul Husbands (75).
Matthew Anderson top scored with 89 for the Fourths in their league encounter with Old Vigornians.
Anderson’s innings was the cornerstone of the seven- wicket victory as Bromsgrove successfully chased down the 169 posted by Vigs.
Riz Ashraf top scored for the visitors with 41 and also took 3/43 with the ball while Max Smith bowled a strangling spell for the home side.
