Brown happy as Bayliss leads Stratford to opening-day victory
SKIPPER Mike Brown hailed the “brilliant” debut of Adam Bayliss as Stratford got their Birmingham Premier League Division Three campaign off to a winning start at Astwood Bank on Saturday.
Bayliss claimed two wickets, including dangerman Steve Adshead, as Stratford dismissed Bank for 207 before David Bailey’s unbeaten knock of 78 saw them claim a comfortable six-wicket success.
And Brown was delighted with the win as the Panthers bid for an instant return to Division Two following last summer’s relegation.
“It’s certainly a good start,” said the Stratford captain.
“You don’t want to read too much into the first game, but to beat the team that finished third last year is very pleasing.
“In the end it looked fairly comfortable and we certainly had plenty of overs and wickets in hand.
“Adam (Bayliss) with the ball was brilliant. He changed the game quite early on and we stayed on top from then.
“Dave’s (Bailey) innings was perfect and Jake then came in to finish it off. He went very attacking and didn’t give them a sniff.
“He took the stuffing out of them with 33 from 26 balls.”
Having won the toss, the Panthers had no hesitation in asking their hosts to bat first on a slow looking track.
The Bank openers started carefully, punishing any short balls which sat up waiting to be hit.
The introduction of Aussie Bayliss changed that though, as his first over for the club brought about two wickets.
Bayliss, son of England head coach Trevor Bayliss, continued to impress and bowled a pearler of a ball that nipped back up the hill to bowl Astwood Bank talisman Adshead.
From that moment, Stratford stayed on top in the field, taking regular wickets, including a debut first XI scalp for Archie Walker.
Late order partnerships and some lusty blows took Bank to 207 all out, probably 30 more than they looked like getting at one point.
In reply, openers Adrian Witts and Rob West quickly got into their work, running hard between the wickets and looking to score at every opportunity.
The fall of Witts for 20 brought David Bailey to the crease and, with West took the score to over 100.
Despite losing a couple of partners at the other end, Bailey looked assured throughout, never letting any bowler settle on their lines.
The fourth Stratford wicket fell with still over 60 runs required, but number six Jake Salmon soon took away any sniff the home side had, smacking seven boundaries in finishing 33 not out.
The win was confirmed in the 36th over as fittingly Bailey hit the fence for his 15th boundary, finishing with 78 not out from 83 balls. Stratford’s first XI host league newcomers Sentinel CC on Saturday at Swans Nest Lane, starting at 12pm.
Stratford will be missing both West and Chris Whelan, who are both unavailable for selection.
The duo will be replaced by Dexter Purser and John Price, who are both promoted from the second XI.
Stratford: David Bailey, Adam Bayliss, Mike Brown (c), Chris Calcott (wk), Perry Derrick, John Price, Jake Salmon, Archie Walker, Dexter Purser, John Price, Aidy Witts.
STRATFORD 2nds made it a weekend double as they swept aside Barnards Green 2nds by eight wickets, despite fielding nine players.
Anthony Pratley claimed 3-49 as Stratford dismissed Barnards Green for 178.
Dexter Purser (63) and Sam Bishop (58) then both claimed half centuries as Josh Hickman’s men cruised to victory.
“All things considered, the win on Saturday was a great start to the season,” said Hickman. “It was a strong all-round team performance, and it sets us up well for our first away match against Wombourne this coming weekend.
“It is important to build momentum in the early weeks of the season, to carry forward into the rest of the league campaign. This team will only get stronger as the season progresses.”
Stratford 2nds head to Wombourne 2nds on Saturday, a side who also claimed an eight-wicket win on the opening day.
