A huge debut ton aids Cannock to win

Skipper Will Fleet has praised batsman Brian Barnard after Cannock's great start to the season.

Overseas professional Barnard got 160 runs in his first game for the club, helping the side to a total of 267-8, and also took a wicket as

finished 70 all out.

The win put Cannock at the top of the Staffordshire Club Cricket Championship Premier Division.

The 27-year-old was supposed to start at Chase Park last year. but was involved in a horrendous road accident shortly before he was due to leave his native South Africa.

Fleet said: "At the start of the season, you want your overseas pro to get off to a good start, which he obviously did.

"It wasn't the easiest pitch to play on so if he can do that in difficult conditions, it looks really promising."

On the performance as a whole, Fleet added: "It was really pleasing because we have been in positions over the last couple of years where we have bowled really well, but struggled with the ball.

"It took us 33 overs to get them all out but we didn't mind, we took our time, kept plugging away and got our reward."

Cannock host Beacon, who got a hard-fought winning draw at Aldridge, while Walsall YGF face Whittington this Saturday.

Zaheer Suliman was the star of the show as Milford Hall won by four wickets against Penn.

The No 4 batsman hit 148 from just 135 balls, while youngster Harry Flowers ended one short of 50, towards a total 242-6.

Milford Hall next go to Pelsall – fresh off a losing draw against Hammerwich – and Penn face Wednesbury.

Abid Khan and Charnanjeet Singh were both efficient with the ball, as Swindon beat Wednesbury.

They got three wickets each as Wednesbury were dismissed for 138 all out, before their team-mates surpassed the total after 35 overs to end 141-5.

Up next for them is Bloxwich, who were well beaten by Whittington at the weekend.