FORMER Pakistan Test star Azhar Mahmood will feature in the Lashings World XI side which takes on Redditch Entaco at Bromsgrove Road tomorrow (Friday).
The ex-Surrey and Kent all-rounder is a late replacement for another Pakistani – Mohammad Yousuf – who can no longer play in the fixture.
Tickets are still available for what promises to be an exciting occasion as the Kingfishers take on a visiting side packed with players of Test Match experience including Tino Best, Tim Paine and Devon Malcolm.
REDDITCH Entaco face a daunting encounter at runaway Worcestershire League Division One leaders Pershore on Saturday on the back of suffering a disappointing eight-wicket defeat at home to Bewdley at Bromsgrove Road last time out.
Tom Field made a superb unbeaten 104 for the Kingfishers but only Perry Derrick (27) and Joe Scarcella (25) made other contributions of note with the bat as the hosts were restricted to 214-9 in their 50 overs after choosing to bat.
The total was never enough to trouble Bewdley who cantered to 215-2 inside 45 overs in reply thanks to 72 not out from opener Paul Beard and an unbeaten 62 from Gareth Lewis.
Redditch sit two places and ten points above the drop zone with six matches remaining.
THERE was also defeat for Redditch Entaco 2nds against hosts Bewdley in Division One 2nd XI.
Opener Nick Fowkes made 27 and there was an excellent 69 from reliable captain Geoff Eley, but the visitors could only muster 138 all out and Bewdley reached 140-4 in reply as opener Robin Drake led the way with 57.
Redditch host fellow mid-table outfit Evesham on Saturday and will be keen to secure victory to avoid being dragged into a late-season fight for survival.
THE 3RDS went down to a seven-wicket loss at Barnt Green in Division Five.
Tanay Kulkarni (28) and Daniel Reeves (27) top scored for Redditch, whose total of 164 was boosted by 39 extras, but the score was no match for the hosts who reached their target within 30 overs.
Redditch 3rds host Enville on Saturday as the bottom two do battle.
A SATURDAY to forget for the club was completed by the 4ths’ eight-wicket defeat at home to Barnt Green in Division Five 2nd XI.
Gary Roberson made an unbeaten 37 in the hosts’ 130 all out, but the visitors reached their target inside 26 overs.
The 4ths visit Enville on Saturday.
