CAPTAIN Andrew Sutton watched a full-strength Barnt Green side put Walsall to the sword and wished he always had his best players available.

A team which included Warwickshire’s Matt Lamb, Josh Poysden and Ed Pollock as well as Somerset academy player Tom Banton proved to be far too strong for their opponents.

It was the first time all season Green had been able to play what is a formidable first XI.

The hosts won the toss at Cherry Hill Road and put Walsall into bat.

The visitors made a strong start with Daniel Betty (51), Waqar Ahmed (38), James Middleton (24) and Tim Maxfield (25) scoring runs but once the top order were removed, Walsall were bowled out for 182 in 45 overs.

Sutton (3-51), Luke Radford (2-32), Darrell Williams (2-41) and Poysden (3-50) were in fine form.

The home side made 186-3 in reply with Banton (79), Pollock (52) and Radford (30) among the runs.

Sutton said: “This was the strongest team we had out in two years and if we could put out this team every week, I would be very happy.

“It was a very strong display and we had four quality bowlers who played very well.

“I then asked the top five batsmen to really make a statement and make sure we win this with seven overs to spare and they did very well.”

Poysden looks set to feature in Saturday’s clash at second-placed Shrewsbury (noon start), who are also expected to field a full-strength side.