Consistency key for Kiddie captain
Kidderminster captain Jonathan Wright is targeting extra consistency as the key to his side moving into the title race.
Kidderminster captain Jonathan Wright is targeting extra consistency as the key to his side moving into the title race.
His team's climb up the table was halted last week when they went down to Barnt Green, as their opponents went back to the top of the table.
The skipper believes his players must avoid further slip-ups if they want to get involved in the battle for top spot.
He said: "I didn't play last week because I was tied up with work but from what I hear we didn't play particularly well.
"It came after a series of decent performances and results and it is that inconsistency that we know is one of our problems.
"We need to be more consistent and produce our best cricket more regularly.
"We have shown we can be a very good side when we perform at our best."
Wright admits his team need to address their away form as they hit the road tomorrow to face West Bromwich Dartmouth.
He said: "We know that at the moment we play better at home than we do away.
"It's something we are aware of and something we would like to address but it's not quite as black and white as the results would suggest.
"We have won away from home, at Shifnal, and the weather hasn't helped us away from home.
"When we have have played at home the weather has tended to be good so it has been dry and we have had good pitches.
"When we have played away it has often been wet so we have had some poor wickets – because of the weather rather than the pitches themselves."
Despite last week's setback, Wright is still happy with his team's start to the season.
He said: "I think we have done reasonably well. We have played some excellent cricket at times, although there have been a couple of weeks when we haven't played so well."
Wright will return to captain his side at Dartmouth with Shaun Lloyd missing out.
Himley are poised to increase their teenage tally for tomorrow's trip to Shifnal.
Jack Arblaster is ready to step into the first team breach to replace the unavailable Chris Pearce as Himley seek to build on an encouraging recent run of results.
The 16-year-old has been in good form for the club's second XI and skipper Greg Wright, who also considered the merits of 15-year-old Dan Cox, has no qualms about Arblaster joining John Smith (17), Michael Hill (17) and Nitesh Patel (18) in his side.
He said: "Jack has been in good form lately and I have no worries about bringing him into the side."
"We have exposed some of the young lads a little bit early but they have taken to it pretty well. Playing at this level is a great experience for them."
Wright is likely to have Worcestershire paceman Chris Whelan available for the weekend.
His side will head to Shifnal in confident mood following last weekend's winning draw against Wolverhampton.
TP Singh led the way with a century as Himley piled up a season's best 288-7 before Wolverhampton replied with 200-4.
He said: "It was another very pleasing performance."
