Mike Barnard powers Shrewsbury to victory

Barnard bagged impressive figures of 5-24 from 10 overs as the London Road outfit eased to a resounding 144-run victory at Kidderminster.

The seamer ripped out five of Kidderminster’s top seven as the hosts were blown away for just 90 in response to Shrewsbury’s 234-7.

Ed Foster picked up 2-8 from three overs to wrap up the win but the damage had been done by Barnard whose scalps included former Worcestershire and Leicestershire batsman Neil Pinner.

Shrewsbury had been in trouble themselves early in their innings with openers Will Parton and Ollie Westbury both back in the pavilion with just eight on the board.

But skipper Ben Stebbings then led from the front. He shared a 68-run third-wicket stand with Ed Foster (27) and them teamed up with Australian import Tim Ward to add 74 for the fourth wicket before falling for 71.

Ward went on to register a half-century before departing for exactly 50.

Rob Foster then made an unbeaten 35 as Shrewsbury, who were rolled out for 54 in their opening day defeat to Barnt Green, posted 234-7 from their 50 overs.

Also, after their heavy loss to Barnt Green, last week, Shrewsbury bounced back to defeat Kidderminster by 144 runs.

Half-centuries from skipper Ben Stebbings (71) and Tim Ward (50) and an unbeaten 35 from Rob Foster eased Shrewsbury to 234 for seven which proved far too many to chase for Kidderminster who collapsed to 90 all out.

Michael Barnard followed up his three-wicket haul from last week’s game with 5 for 24 as the home side plunged to 58 for eight before Marc Edwards (21 not out) and Tom Kimberlin (18) added 32 for the ninth wicket.