Stand-in skipper Bell steps up to the mark to lead Wardens to friendly win

Bell fell to opposite number Tom Grundy for 66, after which the home side suffered a late wobble before eventually passing their 158-run target in the 33rd over.

Keeper Eian Marillier contributed a typically fluent 23 in partnership with Bell at the top of the Wardens’ order.

Spinner James Urqhart (3-31) dismissed Sharma, Jason Young and Tom Brammer in quick succession and, when Grundy had Bell well caught by Alistair Craig, Stratford scented an unlikely win.

However, Dan Wood and Udit Talati took Wardens to the finishing post, despite the visiting skipper’s three for 28.

Earlier, Stratford’s total was based on a solid opening stand between Rob West (30) and John Price (27).

However, fine spells from Wardens’ newly-recruited spin duo Matt Hancock (2-20) and Talati (2-21) applied the brakes, after which the Avonsiders required some powerful blows from Grundy (21 not out) and Sam Douthwaite (34 not out) to post a competitive score.

A typically frugal early-season spell from seamer Nick Whiting clinched a tight 11-run win for Wardens 2nds over their Stratford counterparts.

Whiting’s eight overs conceded only 15 runs, to strangle the life from Stratford’s quest for the 163 required to win an entertaining friendly.

After the Avonsiders lost both openers early in their response, Richard Sykes played some aggressive shots in a useful 55 before he fell to an accurate Chris Baynes spell.

This left James Langman (31 not out) and Mohammed (29 not out) to chase 40 from the final five overs, a task which ultimately proved beyond them.

Before tea, Robin de Regt (44) and teenage keeper Harry Johnson (16) laid a solid base for Wardens, before a fluent 41 from veteran Paul Smith, and 33 extras, saw the hosts to a competitive-looking 162 for six.