Hancock has Green in a spin but rain arrives to saves the hosts

The slow left-armer claimed three for 25 in the Birmingham League Premier Division clash as the hosts struggled to 150 all out in 40 of their rain-reduced 43-over allocation.

He received good support from fellow spinners Sitanshu Kotak (2-15) and Mark Pidgeon (1-30).

The spin trio took charge after seamers Ali Wilkinson (2-28) and Dan Wood had combined to reduce Barnt Green to 37 for three, which included the prize wicket of the previous week’s Warwickshire debutant Sam Hain.

Opener Sam Cheshire stood firm for a fluent 61-ball 56, including three sixes and three fours, before being run out.

He added 52 for the hosts’ fourth wicket with Ed Pollock (20), after which only former Leamington all-rounder Luke Radford made much impact, with 28.

Eian Marillier’s superb glove-work was rewarded with four dismissals, before the ever-threatening cloud thickened to wash out proceedings at the mid-point.

On Sunday, Sunjay Sharma’s maiden 1st XI half-century steered Kenilworth Wardens into the third round of the ECB National 40-over competition with a comfortable 71-run win over Leamington.

The teenage batsman’s useful 57, plus 48 from Udit Talati, saw Wardens to 212 for eight, before the visitors were dismissed in the 43rd over for 141, despite a battling 60 from keeper Lee Hopkins.

Wardens struggled to 78 for four against some accurate Spa bowling before 
Sharma was joined by Talati in a pivotal fifth-wicket alliance.

The pair added 85 in good time before Talati, who struck two sixes and six boundaries in his 62-ball 48, fell to Paul Lawrence.

Sharma, who also cleared the ropes twice, soon followed him, but Wardens’ 200-plus total seemed competitive on a damp pitch and slow outfield.

Grant Thornton (1-29) was the pick of the visitors’ bowling attack.

Ali Wilkinson’s excellent new-ball burst then swung control of the match in the home side’s favour.

He grabbed three early wickets and, with Mark Pidgeon also claiming a brace, Spa slumped to 46 for five.

Hopkins dominated Leamington’s response with a well-constructed 98-ball 60, including two maximums and three fours.

However, he received precious little support and eventually holed out on the deep mid-wicket boundary off Talati, who claimed three for 53.

Pidgeon finished with two for 21, but it was Wilkinson who claimed the plaudits, adding two well-judged catches in the deep to the fine figures of four for 18.