BROMSGROVE skipper Mark Evenson praised the contribution made by Worcestershire's Alexie Kervezee this week after the St Godwald's Park side came within a wicket of beating rivals Smethwick in Birmingham League Division One.

Kervezee scored a majestic 113 as Bromsgrove posted a target of 232 all out.

The Worcestershire all rounder then claimed three for 34 with the ball as Smethwick clung to the draw at close on 210 for nine.

Evenson said: "We had two and a half overs at the last pair and nearly got the wicket we wanted when we put down a difficult catch at leg slip.

"I was more pleased with the fact we stopped the rot of two previous poor performances.

"I thought a total of 230 was a par score at the time but we lost a bit of momentum at the back end of the innings.

"When Alexie was going well, a score in the region of 250 to 260 looked more likely.

"To be fair, Smethwick gave it a real good go when they replied and it wasn't until the ninth wicket went down that they shut up shop.

"I was more delighted with the performance, going so close to beating a Smethwick side who you can usually count upon to finish in the top four.

"Much of that performance was down to Alexie who batted beautifully and paced his innings superbly.

"Smethwick's coach David Banks described Alexie's innings as one of the best he's seen in a long time. It was a brilliant knock on a difficult wicket.

"We're very lucky to have Alexie. He's been at Bromsgrove for 11 years and I think he's playing better than ever.

"He's always happy to do whatever you ask of him and will bat whatever place in the order you want."

Bromsgrove will need to be at their best this Saturday when they travel to face top of the table Moseley.