BARNT Green skipper Andy Sutton is set for six weeks on the sidelines after breaking his thumb in Sunday’s National Knockout Cup defeat to Kidderminster Victoria.

Sutton suffered a severe break and split the skin while fielding and had to be taken to the hospital.

That summed up a disappointing weekend for Green, who suffered defeated at the hands of Knowle and Dorridge in the Birmingham League Premier Division after being punished for a slow over rate.

Sutton said: “I was standing at slip when one of the batsmen nicked a ball and unfortunately it hit me on the thumb.

“There was a lot of blood but fortunately, I had family there and they took me to hospital straight away."

“It looks like I am out of action for about six weeks but I will take it one week at a time.”

On Saturday, Green suffered their first league loss of the campaign when they were edged out by Knowle and Dorridge.

They had made 252-6 in 50 overs, with Luke Radford (47), Josh Poysden and the captain (44) chipping in. But Knowle and Dorridge made 255-9 in 49 overs, helped by slow over rate rules.

With two overs remaining, Green’s opponents needed 14 runs to win the game with one wicket left, when the umpire awarded Knowle 14 runs because the hosts were judged to have been bowling too slowly.

The ECB rule, which has been put in place for the last three years, states that a team must complete their 50 overs in three hours and 20 minutes and for six runs for every remaining over to be awarded to the batting side.

Sutton said: “This rule means that any break under five minutes are not accounted for by the umpire and can be open to interpretation. We certainly had no intention of bowling too slowly but there are occasions when the ball cannot be found.”

To make matters worse, Green lost by 113 runs to Kidderminster Victoria in the Royal London Club Championship.

They tackle Kidderminster at home on Saturday in the league (noon start).