REDDITCH Entaco skipper Waqas Ali has warned his players they must improve their batting this season.

Following back-to-back promotions, Redditch suddenly find themselves bottom of Birmingham League Division Three.

Waqas Ali remains optimistic that Redditch can enjoy another good season but insists: "Some of our batsmen need to show more responsibility and step up to the plate, because the batting has to improve."

That was after Redditch were on the receiving end again after a hefty eight wicket reverse at Handsworth.

After electing to bat first, Redditch were restricted to 163 for nine.

After a promising start, Redditch had Ollie Mason run out before Rizwan Chaudhry followed him back to the pavilion a few balls later.

It was Ghulam Moyhuddin with 43 and Stefan Jagielski on 21 who threatened to turn matters around with a third wicket stand before Tom Phelan fired a further 27.

But a final total of 163 was never going to be enough and that proved the case as Handsworth knocked off a winning 164 for two in 33 overs.

Opening bat Waseem Mazher led the charge witgh 70 while Renrick Hooper hit another 51

Waqas Ali added: "Last season, we would have been confident of defending a total of 150 but we're coming up against much better batsmen now.

"There was nothing wrong with the wicket, which I expected to get worse as the game went on. The difference was that Handsworth's spinners bowled better than we did."

It didn't help when strike bowler Ghulam Ali picked up a back injury while off-spinner Haris Ali injured his elbow and was only able to bowl three overs as Handsworth romped to victory.

Waqas Ali said: "The batting has to improve as there is a lack of discipline there at the moment which is costing us dearly.

"Losing two early wickets so close together put us on the back foot and then later in the innings, their spinners got us bogged down.

"I'm far from downhearted as I still believe we've got one of the best bowling attacks in this division."

Redditch entertain Whitchurch at Bromsgrove Road when off-spinner Tom Field is expected to return to the side.