IN THE match previewed as the tale of the two Indian left arm spinners it was Kenilworth's overseas star who took top billing to frustrate Kidderminster Victoria.

Shitansu Kotak was the difference between the two sides, scoring almost half of the hosts' runs and taking five wickets to lead them to a winning draw.

In comparison, Vishal Bhatia, the man KVCC hope will go on to outshine Kotak in the Birmingham League, only managed one wicket and was out for a duck.

Electing to bat on a very slow wicket, Kenilworth's decision paid off when they eased to a Kotak-inspired 264-4 with the star performer finishing on 103 not out, including 16 fours.

Bhatia claimed his one and only scalp when he trapped Wilkinson leg before for 14 early on with the score at 49.

But it was the partnership of Kotak and Patel which really got Kenilworth cruising after the former was dropped early in the innings.

The hosts were on 197 when Patel was caught for 81 by Jonathan Miles off Jonathan Wright's bowling.

Kotak, who has unsurprisingly been retained by Kenilworth for 11 years, gave a masterclass in how to take singles from the simplest of shots as his side reached 200 in the 46th over.

KVCC had a brief moment of respite when Stening was bowled by Craig Siwicki for seven and opposition skipper Jordan was stumped by Tom Sherriff off Wright for three.

But Kenilworth added a further 30 runs from the remaining four overs, with Henderson unbeaten on 10.

KVCC's had found little joy with the ball as Wright took 2-66 from 16 overs, Craig Siwicki (1-34) from five overs and Bhatia (1-38) from 11, while their other bowlers conceded 121 runs from 23 overs.

So Kidderminster were set a big target at just over four runs an over on a pitch with little life in it.

KVCC's Mark Mansell batted well for his 63, but was dropped twice, and only Will Gifford seemed able to cope with Kotak.

Wright and Mansell made a steady start for Kidderminster, but Wright, having scored 19, fell to a catch by Jordan off Kotak's bowling.

Mansell, despite riding his luck, looked in good form until he became Kotak's second scalp when he was caught by Patel.

Andrew Siwicki was also batting well in partnership with Will Gifford, who was not troubled by Kotak and hoisted him out of the ground for a mighty six.

The partnership was flourishing until Siwicki went down with cramp in his calf and despite attempting to play on had to leave the field.

Big-hitter Pete Stevens was the next to come and go when he was stumped for nine by Bush after Kotak tempted him out of his crease.

Next man in, Nigel Davenport, himself a spinner, put Kotak on a hat-trick by going down the wicket and missing the ball completely giving Bush another simple stumping.

Kidderminster were 182 in the 47th over. Gifford was the only batter to play Kotak with any confidence, and he was finally caught and bowled by Jordan for 45 having hit successive sixes off Kotak.

Ted Baylis made a quick 22 and Bhatia was out leg before for a duck with both wickets falling to Jordan.

Craig Siwicki was caught by Bush with Kotak getting his fifth wicket, so with eight wickets down KVCC were in a bit of trouble.

Tom Sherriff and Jonathan Miles played very sensibly and saw the game out. Both batted very well, with Miles scoring four.

Kidderminster were in the game until Siwicki went off. That they didn't lose the game was no doubt due to the poor fielding and catching of their opponents, however, some poor batting by some Kidderminster players nearly handed Kenilworth a win.

KVCC play the league leaders, West Bromwich Dartmouth, at Chester Road on Saturday with a 1pm start.