Wet Walsall frustrated again

Leg spinner Bahutule 5-66

Another wet Saturday in the Midlands led to another series of abandonments with the closing stages of the season in the Birmingham Midshires Birmingham & District Premier Cricket League rendering every remaining point critical.

With five rounds of matches remaining, just 45 points separate the top five teams with defending champions Walsall trailing leaders Barnt Green by 21 points and Wolverhampton, the only side not frustrated by an early finish on Saturday racing to a comfortable seven wicket victory at Walmley to take third place.

Both Barnt Green and Walsall were heading for victory before the rain intervened bringing their matches to a premature end.

Veteran Barnt Green bowlers, Dougie Brown (5-40) and Richard Illingworth (4-29) combined to dismiss Moseley for 103 and the village side had reached 33 without loss from 10 overs, when the rain came and the match was abandoned.

Bhavik Patel (46) top scored in Walmley’s 204 all out, against Wolverhampton with Indian leg-spinner, Sairaj Bahutule taking 5-66. In response, Anish Kapil (62) and Simon Lycett (41 not out) eased Wolverhampton home by seven wickets with 19 overs to spare before the rain became too heavy.

Knowle & Dorridge won the toss and batted against Walsall reaching 160 for five from 55 overs, with Dave Smith hitting 66 and Mark Littlewood contributing 56.

Walsall had cruised to 80 for two, from 27.2 overs, when the match was abandoned leaving Brad Wilson unbeaten on 35 and Walsall 21 points behind the leaders.

Bottom of the table Shifnal recovered from 17 for five to 155 for nine against Kidderminster Victoria, thanks to a fighting innings from Anthony Parker (62).

Mario Saliwa took 5-51 for the home side but there was no further play after tea.

West Bromwich Dartmouth smashed 60 from the last five overs of their innings against Himley, reaching 243 for eight, thanks to T.P.Sudhindra (60), Moeen Ali (46) and Shafiq Ahmad (43 not out).

Himley had reached 14 without loss when the match came to a watery end.

Anthony Wilkinson (46) top scored for Kenilworth Wardens, who were dismissed for 160 by Leamington Spa with former Warwickshire skipper Neil Smith taking 4-57 for Leamington.

The match was perfectly poised when the heavens opened forcing an abandonment, with the visitors on 136 for six. Rob Williams hit 46 for Leamington, who are now level on points with West Bromwich Dartmouth, in the fight to avoid relegation.