BARNT Green skipper Andrew Sutton is expecting a tough game against local Birmingham League Premier Division rivals Ombersley this weekend but is confident his side can claim victory.
The Cherry Hill Road outfit will hope to return to winning ways on Saturday after suffering a nine-wicket home defeat to Knowle and Dorridge.
Ombersley will prove to be a tough nut to crack with their squad containing the likes of Worcestershire’s Brett D’Oliveira, Herefordshire’s Liam Gwynne and England’s under-19 prospect Josh Dell.
But Sutton, who is awaiting on the availability of Warwickshire’s Joshua Poysden and Matt Lamb, has full confidence in his squad to pick up their third win of the campaign.
“It’s going to be a difficult place to go to and over the years the pitch has always played an interesting part in games,” he said.
“With the way the weather has been recently it could be a good day for the seam bowlers.
“Ombersley have some good match winners in their side but we also have some very good players at our disposal.
“There’s no easy game in this league but there is plenty of confidence in the squad so hopefully we can get a positive result and bounce back to winning ways.”
Sutton is also hoping to call the toss right this time after feeling he was to blame for Saturday’s defeat to K&D.
The Green skipper opted to bat after winning the toss but it backfired as the hosts crawled to 201-7 from their 50 overs.
Sutton (51 not out) stuck around with lower order after Tom Banton had earlier hit 55.
In reply, K&D secured the win for the loss of one wicket in the 43rd over as Alex Phillips (96 not out) and Ateeq Javid (76 not out) led the charge.
“It was a very frustrating game at the start but I take the blame for choosing to bat after winning the toss,” Sutton said.
“We had started quite well at 100-2 but then lost a flurry of wickets and were at 126-6 at one point.
“In the end we only got an average score and K&D managed to cross the line.
“It’s disappointing to lose but we are still confident in terms of how we played and they way we have performed in recent weeks.
“Hopefully we can win the toss at Ombersley and this time I can get it right and not wrong.”
Green then progressed into the third round of the National T20 tournament on Sunday with a nine-wicket victory over local rivals Pershore.
Pershore were bowled out for 89 before Green cruised to victory in 11th over as Jamie Harrison (29 not out) and Banton (38) guided the hosts to 92-1.
