SKIPPER Russell Southwick will be looking for an immediate response from his players when Redditch Entaco entertain Evesham in their first home fixture of the Worcestershire League Premier Division on Saturday.
The Kingfishers were unable to build on their opening day win over Old Hill as they were thumped by 111 runs at Chaddesley Corbett, who maintained their perfect start.
Chaddesley dominated play, scoring 265-9 off their 50 overs as Waqas Ahmed led the way with 93. Opener Mo Sajid hit 82 as Redditch toiled in the field but kept at it – taking nine wickets in the process – with Waqas Ali taking 4-66 and Haris Ali 3-64.
Wicketkeeper Chris Brown had a good day behind the stumps, taking two catches and making a stumping.
Redditch’s reply started in a positive manner with 34 for the first wicket. Rizwan Mohammed (24) went first before Southwick (35) and Olly Mason (32) added 59 in quick time, but Redditch suffered an unfortunate run out as Mason departed for 32.
A position of 93-1 became 154 all out in 37 overs as only Ghulam Moyhuddin stood firm, finishing on 28 not out.
The 2nds opened their Division Three season against Avoncroft 1sts at Bromsgrove Road and came away with a losing draw.
Batting first, Avoncroft lost two early wickets but a fine 138 from Steve Eastham, who was fortunate as several catches went down, allowed Avoncroft to post 246-8 off their 50 overs. Mo Sarfraz took 4-49 off 12 overs.
In reply Redditch started well through openers Sarfraz and Nick Fowkes but once Sarfraz departed for 20 Redditch lost their momentum and found runs hard to come by.
Luke Davis, Asif Mukhtar and skipper Liam Phelan all departed in quick time and Fowkes (34) and keeper Abdul Jabbar were next to go to leave the Kingfishers struggling on 81-6.
Steve du Cros (23) and Haleem Basharat (55) put on a fine 81 but, when Mo Zahid went second ball, Redditch were struggling on 171-9.
However, a last wicket partnership of 27 between Amaan Malik and Sahil Mahmood saw Redditch through their 50 overs, finishing on 198-9.
On Saturday the 2nds travel to Old Vigornians.
