CRICKET: HEAVY rain cost Berkswell at the weekend as Dominic Ostler’s side’s attempt to reclaim top spot in the Birmingham Premier League were washed out.
Having lost the toss, home side Kidderminster inserted Berkswell into bat.
And Berkswell were soon in trouble when Mark Best (0), Mohammed Ahmed (5), and Chris Whittock (4) all fell cheaply within the first six overs with only ten runs on the scoreboard.
A stabilising partnership of 43 in eight overs between Alex Hepburn and Tom Lewis eased the situation until Hepburn (31) was caught behind.
However from that moment on the momentum swung away from the Kidderminster bowlers as Lewis and Derbyshire’s Tom Milnes took total control and produced a display of batting that was a joy to watch.
For the next 36 overs, the pair demolished Kidderminster’s bowling attack and compiled a fifth wicket partnership of 226.
With the ball disappearing to all parts of the ground, Milnes and Lewis kept pace with each other as both batsmen reached their 50 off 69 balls apiece – and their centuries coming off 105 and 118 balls respectively.
Lewis was eventually out in the 50th over, but Milnes and Nick James did not relent and had added another 53 runs in only three overs before skipper Dominic Ostler saved the Kidderminster bowlers from further punishment and declared the innings on 335 for the loss of five wickets.
At the declaration, Milnes remained 156* – his innings containing 10 fours and 11 sixes – and James was undefeated on 14.
In reply Berkswell had removed three of the Kidderminster batsmen before the umpires took the players back to the pavilion as the rain set in thus bringing an early and disappointing end to proceedings.
On Saturday Berkswell return to Meeting House Lane for the visit of Brockhampton who currently languish at the foot of the table. The match starts at midday.
Pictures: Manjit Narotra.
