Newport facing a trip to leaders

Last weekend’s nail-biting one-wicket victory over Streetly took his side to third in Division Three of the Birmingham and District Cricket League, but the men from Audley Avenue made hard work of what should have been a straightforward chase of 102, leaving it to numbers seven and 11 to secure the win.

However, Downes feels that there are positives to take despite only just getting the win, and believes that his team’s experience can help them in future tight encounters.

“Being 65-8 and then 83-9 and still getting over the line shows good character from us,” he said. “We have won three or four close games now, so we can be confident in future games when our backs are against the wall.”

Downes also reserved praise for Thomas Newnes, with all else around him falling, the young batsman showing great composure to hit 33 in his 75-ball match-winning knock, adding 20 alongside last man Nick Watkins to guide their side to the target.

The skipper added: “He played a big innings for both him and ourselves and at only 19-years-old it should stand him in good stead.”

Tomorrow sees Newport’s toughest test to date as they head to leaders Lichfield and opening bowler Downes – who claimed impressive figures of 6-52 off 15 overs last weekend – sees long-standing similarities between themselves and their hosts, and insists his side should learn from last year’s narrow defeat.

“We’ve always been similar to Lichfield,” Downes said. “We had a close game last year at their place which we should have won but didn’t.

“Now we know we can come out on top in close 50-50 games.”

Sentinel must make at least two changes for tomorrow’s trip to Brewood.

Big-hitting batsman Craig Heath and consistent spinner Dominic Bradburne are both ruled out owing to work commitments.