Currill claims key wickets and then sets platform for Leamington success

Despite winning the toss, Leamington failed to make early inroads as Worcestershire’s Tom Kohler-Cadmore (18) and Nikhil Vaidya (21) put on 51 for the first wicket.

However, a wicket each for Grant Thornton (1-45) and Tom Warner (1-41) reduced the hosts to 52 for two.

This brought India’s Wasim Jaffer to the crease but his stay was a brief one as a fine ball from Ollie Currill had him caught by Zack Fagg for four.

Alongside Currill, Faisal Khalid was introduced into the attack and the pair continued to take wickets as Himley stumbled to 132 for six.

A partnership of 69 between Jones (45) and Turner (36) for the seventh wicket meant that Himley finished on 220 all out.

Khalid used all his experience to finish with five for 42 while Currill was equally impressive with three for 32 but Leamington will have been disappointed with Himley’s final total which was boosted by 42 wides.

Stand-in keeper Shahbaz Alam, meanwhile, took five catches and a brilliant leg-side stumping.

In reply, despite losing Alam (7) early, Zack Fagg (43) and Currill (50), who completed a fine all-round display, put on 82 for the second wicket.

David Bailey (47) then continued his good start to the season and alongside Grant Thornton (49 not out) the pair added 75 quick runs for the fifth wicket to ensure victory for the visitors.

Thornton hit three maximums in his innings as he continues to show his importance with both bat and ball this season.

Leamington 2nds returned to winning ways with an important victory against Himley in the Premier 2nd XI Division.

Leamington batted first and for the first time this season the top order failed to get them off to a good start.

It was left to the experienced duo of Jason Butler (78 not out) and David Hawkes (44) to rebuild the innings.

Captain Butler’s knock was a typical battling effort and, after Hawkes had departed, he stayed in with the tail to ensure Leamington reached a competitive total of 238.

Himley’s reply was off to the worst possible start with two quick wickets falling.

However, once again the Leamington opening attack were unable to maintain a consistent line and Himley’s aggressive batting moved them on to 117 for two off 20 overs.

The balance of the game swung in Leamington’s favour with the introduction of Vid Balasubramanian and Steve Dyer.

Both bowled a disciplined line and length and they were able to restrict the scoring and apply pressure to the Himley batsmen.

Once the dangerous Bilhal Hussain (64) was removed, the lower-order batsmen were quick to follow as spinner Jimmy Gethins claimed three for 20.