Stunning century can't save Smethwick from opening day defeat
A scintillating century from Indian overseas star Deepak Khatri could not save defending champions Smethwick from defeat on the opening day of the Birmingham Premier League season.
Khatri thumped 23 boundaries, including five sixes, on his way to 118 from just 76 balls but no-one else in the Smethwick line-up passed 21 as they were bowled out for 227 by visitors Barnt Green at Broomfield.
Worcestershire’s Ed Pollock then hit 107 off just 56 balls as Barnt Green chased down the target inside 25 overs, for the loss of only three wickets.
There was better news for Halesowen, who scored a big opening day win of their own away at Berkswell.
Simon Gregory’s 76 was the highlight of a strong team batting performance. Skipper Alex Kervezee also made a half century as Hales, put into bat, racked up precisely 300.
Seamer Eddie Rhodes then removed both of the home side’s openers at the start of the reply and was one of four Halesowen bowlers to pick up at least two wickets. Masihullah Qazkhill finished with the best figures of 3-24 as the hosts were bowled out for 147.
Wolverhampton judged their chase perfectly to claim victory by six wickets at home to Ombersley.
The visitors finished on 227-6 from their 50 overs, Asad Ullah finishing with figures of 3-41.
Reece Evitts then went on to play the key knock in the reply, his patient and unbeaten 78 from 130 balls anchoring the innings.
Wicketkeeper Jack Stanley hit 52, while Joe Stanley also gave Evitts valuable support with 35 from 45 balls as the home side reached the target with eight balls to spare.
Himley had a day to forget as they were comfortably beaten at home by Harborne.
Jamie Turner impressed with the ball, taking 4-25 but the visiting team’s total of 208 proved some way beyond Himley, who were bowled out for just 109 to lose by 99 runs.
Stoubridge made a winning start to life in Division Two as they won a thriller at home to Shifnal by just two runs.
A half-century from Dominic O’Reilly (58) helped Stourbridge to 230 all out and when the visitors slumped to 14-2, it looked like being a walk in the park.
But Rahul Kaushal (61) and Charlie Home (57) put on 90 for the next wicket to bring Shifnal roaring back into it. Jack Twigger scored an unbeaten 64 but it was not enough as Stour claimed victory at the death, No.11 Ben Roberts stumped off the fourth ball of the 50th over.
A century from Ismail Mohammed helped West Bromwich Dartmouth win a thriller of their own against newly-promoted Handsworth.
Mohammed’s 111 helped Dartmouth to 309-7 but Handsworth came within five runs of chasing it down, Imran Tariq left unbeaten on 50 at the death.
There was another thriller between Dorridge and Old Hill but this time it was the Black Country team which came out on the wrong side of the result, losing by one wicket.
