'Time in the middle' will boost our batting confidence, says skipper Bryn Simmons

The Burway boys face St George’s tonight (Thursday) in the quarter-finals of the Shropshire Twenty20 Knockout Cup.

Ludlow were shot out for 140 in a disappointing 92-run home defeat last Saturday against Reman Services

And Simmons says Ludlow’s batsmen can use the Twenty20 game as preparation for this weekend’s clash at Frankton in the Shropshire County League Premier Division.

“Reman Services are a very good side and they will be challenging at the top of the table at the end of the season,” said Simmons.

“The Twenty20 match against St George’s will give our batsmen a bit of extra time in the middle.

“The style of cricket is vastly different to the type we play on a Saturday, but I am looking forward to it.”

James Gerritse (2-60) and Will Sparrow (2-61) took the bowling plaudits for Ludlow, who restricted Reman to 232-7.

Sparrow (44) led Ludlow’s reply and Dylan Grinker made 24 and Ed Riley, 17 not out, but the hosts fell well short.

Simmons said: “At one point, Reman looked to be on course for 300 so we did well to pull them back to 232-7.

“The pitch was an excellent batting track and to get bowled out for just 140 runs was a huge disappointment.

“Sparrow had an excellent match for us – with bat and ball and did very well.”

He added: “We have to remember that we have only lost two matches this season and we have lost a couple of key batsmen in Jason Van Loggernberg and Ryan Lockley, but we have players who are capable of scoring runs.”

Ludlow will be hoping to get their campaign back on track at Frankton this Saturday.

“Frankton is near Ellesmere so it’s a long journey for us, but we are remaining positive,” said Simmons.

“We have got a good side and, although our confidence with the bat is a bit low, it just needs one player to get a big score and that will give everyone a lift.”

Simmons added: “It’s going fine – the captaincy can be hard work but I knew that when I took over the role.”