All hail Pope for Penkridge

The long-serving Aussie has resumed the skipper's mantle for the rest of the season, after Adam Ball's decision to step down.

He has wasted little time leading the way, by claiming five wickets in their nine-wicket success at Wednesbury.

Penkridge won the toss and inserted the hosts and soon had them in trouble.

Wednesbury's top order was scattered as Pope led the charge to leave them at 15-5 after 12 overs.

They were 40-6 when captain Craig Cartwright came in and he and Wajid Niazi put on 70 between them before Sajid Nazir took over to push the total to 177 before they were dismissed in the final over.

Penkridge were always favourites to knock them off and they achieved their target after 36 overs.

Overseas player Ronnie Hussain led the way, weighing in with an unbeaten 96 backed up by a solid 55 from Paul Szewczyk.

Pope has been with Penkridge for 15 years and is happy to lead the side again, with the belief that the extra responsibility doesn't affect his game.

He said: "I've not done it for five years but it's no problem. I think you learn more over the years and I'm enjoying it.

"On our day we're a good side, as we were last season, but it's about clicking at some point and I hope that will happen."

Opposing skipper Cartwright said: "Gary put on a fantastic bowling display and tore through our top order.

"There was juice in the wicket, but Gary used the conditions better than we did."

Cartwright is threatening changes to his top order unless things improve, starting with Saturday's clash against Springvale.

He said: "They will be given another chance, but that's two or three times we haven't really fired in the top order.

"We have the strength in depth batting further down and we're looking to push people like Sajid further up the order if it continues."