REDDITCH Cricket Club opened their account in the Birmingham League with a disastrous start against Nuneaton.

With their first two games of the Division Three season abandoned, the team have hardly stretched their legs on a cricket pitch and they showed their rustiness - especially in the batting department - on Saturday.

Redditch skipper Danny Protherough won the toss and elected to field first on a slow pitch that was still damp in the outfield.

And with the favourable bowling conditions the Redditch attack came to the fore with Nev Mason and Guy Muspratt leading the line.

But despite their best efforts Nuneaton still posted a worthy but none the less reachable target of 146 for 9 off their allotted 55 overs.

Mason came away with the best bowling figures of 4 for 34 and Muspratt not far behind with 3 for 45.

Captain Protherough opened the batting but he along with his team failed to find any kind of form at the crease who were all out for just 39 runs after 25 overs.

Protherough said: "To be honest we just didn't perform.

"I thought we bowled quite well but we just didn't bat with any responsibility - we were playing shots which we shouldn't have.

"We were a bit unlucky after losing the last five wickets for just one run but it was just one of those things.

"Throughout the course of the season you get these kind of results - you just have to move on to the next game.

"I didn't think Nuneaton were an overly special side - they didn't have any what you would call great players.

"They grafted for all their runs and batted with composure and that's what you need to do on an early season wicket."

Protherough is hoping the recent cricket weather will continue so the team can at least practice on grass and overcome the rustiness.

He said: "Most of the players haven't been able to bat on grass yet and have been using the artificial pitches.

"But hopefully we'll get some quality practice in this week."

An away day at bottom side Highway are next on the agenda for Redditch CC who will be looking for their first win of the season.

Protherough added: "It's quite nice to go back to Highway, they have a nice wicket.

"Nev Mason played there for a long time and knows a lot about the club

"They have had some fantastic players down the years so it'll be a tough one."