ANDREW SUTTON has called on his Barnt Green side to improve on their shortcomings with the bat ahead of their home clash against Birmingham League Premier Division basement side Kidderminster.
The Cherry Hill Road side are on a three-game losing streak following their four-wicket defeat to reigning champions Berkswell on Saturday.
And with the 55-over win/lose/draw format coming into fruition on Saturday, Sutton has urged his youthful team to take more responsibility with the bat especially with players in the Seconds pushing for first team places.
Winless Kidderminster currently sit rock bottom of the table but the Green skipper is aware he cannot take them too lightly.
“It only takes one or two of the Kidderminsters players to hit plenty of runs or claim a handful of wickets and suddenly we could be chasing the game,” he said.
“The only way we can prevent that from happening is by getting momentum ourselves.
“I’m very happy with our bowling attack but we have got to improve with the bat.
“Places are up for grabs and if guys in the squad are not firing on all cylinders then it will give somebody else a chance to step in and make a name for themselves.
“Hopefully we can walk away with a win or at the least a winning draw.”
Green were put into bat by Berkswell on Saturday after losing the toss and were bowled out for just 170 after 45.3 overs.
England under-19 prospect Tom Banton hit the majority of the runs with a swashbuckling 106 as those around him floundered with the bat.
Only Warwickshire’s Matt Lamb offered some resistance to build a mid-wicket partnership before being removed for 30.
In response Berkswell looked as though they were in deep trouble at 39-5.
However, Worcestershire’s Alex Hepburn hit a steady 57 off 117 balls before former Glamorgan player Nick James (37) and former Warwickshire star Dominic Ostler (41 not out) ticked off the remaining runs as Berkswell crept to 171-6 with 20 balls to spare.
“It was a cracking game of cricket for the neutral,” admitted Sutton.
“We started well with Tom and Matt building a good partnership but once our overseas player (James Psarakis) got run out we just collapsed.
“Not batting all your overs is criminal at this level of cricket.
“If we could have reached about 220 we may have had a good chance of winning the game.”
Despite the batting woes, Sutton was quick to praise his young bowlers Adam Hines and Jacques Banton.
“I could not have asked for more from the young bowling attack,” he added.
“They were fantastic and we also took our chances in the field, especially when it came to making catches in the slips.
“It was a great effort and I am proud of Adam and Jacques who put in good shifts.”
