BROMSGROVE skipper Mark Evenson has called on his top order batsmen to start firing again following this week's seven wicket reverse against Smethwick.

Once again Bromsgrove had to rely on Worcestershire's Alexei Kervezee giving them a reasonable chance of victory with a run a ball 72.

But there was precious little support as Bromsgrove found themselves bowled out for 154.

Evenson admitted: "We were 30 to 40 runs short.

"We arrived at Smethwick and the wicket looked a bit neglected. They won the toss and had no hesitation in putting us in to bat.

"The problem was we found ourselves six to seven wickets down by drinks and we're not going to win many games from that position.

"We've been relying too heavily on batsmen 9, 10 and 11 getting the bulk of the runs and that's because our top order's not firing at the moment.

"We had a chat about it after the game and it's an area we need to put right.

"It was a difficult wicket and it was significant that only Alexei Kerveeze and Smethwick's overseas IPL player Amotoze Singh that did any good with the bat!

Singh went onto strike 88 not out off 57 balls in reply which included 14 fours and four sixes as Smethwick stormed to 156 for three from 36 overs with Evenson adding: " Try as we might, we just couldn't get him out."

Bromsgrove bid to bounce back this Saturday when they entertain Herefordshire side Brockhampton at St Godwalds Park.

Evenson's appeal for his top order bats to hit form couldn't come at a more appropriate time as Alexei Kerveeze will be absent on Worcestershire duty.

Tom Green returns to the side but Bromsgrove will also be without experienced seam bowler Nick Husbands.