BROMSGROVE Cricket Club have suffered an unexpected eve of season blow to their Birmingham League preparations when skipper Mark Evenson broke his thumb while playing in the nets.

Evenson sustained the injury while bowling to Jack Taylor and is likely to miss the first month of the season as a result.

It means Ashley Newfield will lead the side in their opening fixture away to Herefordshire side Brockhampton on Saturday who were relegated from the top flight last season.

Bromsgrove could also be without opening bowling Gareth Williams who has been plagued by back spasms during the winter months.

It means Warwickshire's Aaron Thomason and former Oxford University player Alex Wilkinson are likely to open the bowling attack.

But Bromsgrove should be boosted by the arrival of former Knowle and Dorridge batsman Alec Baker together with Greg Chinn who has returned to the club following a spell with Redditch.