TOM Oakley is hoping his season’s best score of 148 will be enough to restore him to the Ombersley first team.

After managing just 40 runs in four games for Arti Fiaz’s Birmingham League Division Two side this season, the 24-year-old was dropped into the second string in a bid to build confidence.

It proved an inspired move with the left-handed opener, son of club chairman Tim, compiling 345 runs in five games, including two centuries.

The latest ton, eight runs short of his career-best 156 not out, came off just 155 balls and featured 15 fours and four sixes to help Ombersley secure a winning draw against Barnards Green in Division Two South.

Oakley, who wins a £30 Fearnley Factory Shop voucher as the latest Worcester News player-of-the-week, said: “I was absolutely delighted.

“I was playing for the firsts and not getting much of a chance so I spoke to the captain and moved into the second team. I got a few scores for them and then this 148.

“I have got a bit of form back. I need to make a mark to put pressure on people in the first team to claim a place back.

“It was a little bit disappointing not to see it through to the 150 mark but I was just trying to push on and get a good score for the team. Unfortunately, I top-edged one and got caught but 148 is a pretty good performance.”

After winning the toss, skipper Phil Tongue opted to bat and, together with Dominic D’Oliveira (91), son of Worcestershire academy boss Damian, Oakley put on 217 for the first wicket.

Ombersley went on to post 302-3 in 50 overs but Green dug in to reach 162-9 in reply.

Fernhill Heath-based Oakley, who has been with the Main Road club since he was a teenager, added: “It wasn’t the best wicket, it was a bit slow and low so we got our heads down.

“We were going at about three-an-over for the first 10 and kept setting ourselves benchmarks.

“We were playing well together. Dominic got the majority of the runs early on and then I took over.

“By the end of it, we must have been hitting 10-an-over to get to 302.

“It was a good performance by the team but just unfortunate we couldn’t get the one wicket to finish the game off.

“I thought we batted well and fielded superbly.”