Monday, May 22nd, 2023

BPL ROUND-UP: RUNS AND WICKETS FOR BAKER AND CENTURY FOR COX

Josh Baker hit a half-century and then picked up five wickets for Kenilworth Wardens in their Birmingham and District Premier League Premier Division encounter with Halesowen.

The Worcestershire player struck 58 off 50 balls with one six and eight fours, and Henry Cullen also chipped in with 36 in a total of 256 all out from 54.3 overs.

Baker then came on first change and removed the first four batters and had figures of 17-1-64-5 as Halesowen were dismissed for 210 in 51 overs.

Academy captain Joe Stanley also had a five-wicket haul for Wolverhampton in their 85-run success over Berkswell.

Stanley initially chipped in with 27 from 28 balls in Wolverhampton’s total of 279-9 in 55 overs.

He then returned 17-4-59-5 after also entering the attack first change, but Berkswell held on for a draw at 194-8.

Rookie professional Olly Cox hit 108 off 94 balls for Barnt Green in the drawn fixture with Kidderminster.

He hit five sixes and nine fours batting at number four, coming to the wicket at 39-2 and putting on 175 for the third wicket with Ben Chapman-Lilley (91) in a total of 259-7 from 55 overs.

Kidderminster were then left hanging on to avoid defeat and closed on 138-8.

Taylor Cornall’s fine all-round performance was the highlight of Ombersley’s draw against Barnards Green.

The opener made 65 from 114 deliveries with one six and eight fours and put on 100 for the second wicket with Nick Hammond (60) as Ombersley totalled 226-9.

He then had a return of 12-0-58-3, but Barnards Green, for whom Rehaan Edavalath scored 25, held on at 204-9.

Dillon Pennington (six and 5-0-32-0) and Kashif Ali (5-0-29-0 and nought) returned to action after hamstring and thumb injuries, respectively, for Shrewsbury and Smethwick, but both were on the losing side.