Smethwick skipper David Banks has urged his team to avenge their previous defeat to Wellington when the sides meet on Saturday.

Wellington previously swept them aside by five wickets in the second game of the campaign and, although Banks’ boys have recovered to move top, they lead their third-placed opponents by just nine points.

Banks said: “They play solid cricket rather than with flair. It would be great for us to reclaim some of those points.”

Old Hill’s resources will be stretched at West Bromwich Dartmouth this weekend with three key players absent.

Seam bowler Elliot Wilson and batsmen Chris Bending and Adam Bending are all out, leaving skipper Nathan Round with some big holes to fill in his second-placed side.

The captain said: “Considering the players we’re going to be without, I’d settle for a winning draw. It’s going to be tough without them but we’ll give it our best.”

Dartmouth will take on Old Hill without talented all-rounder Ateeq Javid.

Warwickshire’s Javid has been called up for England Under-19’s Twenty20 matches with Bangladesh so misses out.

Halesowen will be looking to build on last weekend’s five-wicket success over Berkswell when they travel to Shifnal.