CAPTAIN Nick Davies reckons that Bromsgrove CC are in good enough form to challenge for a top two place in the Birmingham and District League Division One - despite his side being in the bottom three.

Victory over Aston Unity on Saturday means the Boars have carved out a four game unbeaten run in July, which has further strengthened Bromsgrove's chances of escaping relegation.

Davies believes that his team can use their unbeaten run to challenge for the second spot in Division One. Shifnal are currently in second place and enjoy a 63 point lead over buoyant Bromsgrove, but this figure does not put off the captain.

He said: "We may be in the bottom three but we are aiming for the top two. There are only 63 points between us and the team in second (Shifnal) and if we can keep up our winning streak then we catch up

"At the moment we're on a good run and the confidence is really high. We are definitely aiming for the top two now.

"The way we are playing at the moment I believe we can beat any team in the league. Obviously it's important that we keep winning games."

Bromsgrove certainly do seem to be in decent form and have recently being strengthened by the return of all rounder Nadeem Malik. The Worcestershire player has missed a huge chunk of the season because of shin splints but has returned from injury in recent weeks and made a major impression on the team.

Against Aston Unity Malik hit 48 runs, took three wickets and formed a fearsome trio of bowlers together with Nick Husbands and Zafran Ali.

Husbands also shone for Bromsgrove by taking five wickets for eight runs, eclipsing Aston captain Aurell Kirnon's figures of 7-80.

Davies said: "Aurell stood out a mile for Aston and he put the ball in the right areas.

"He's always a dangerman for Aston and he really made us work.

"Nick really did well and like Kirnon put the ball in the right areas.

"To be fair the eight runs he conceded were off lucky nicks by the Aston players because he didn't bowl a bad ball."

"But Nadeem Malik and Zafran Ali, who opened the bowling, also played very well. It's great to have Nadeem back because he has a big impact when he's in the side.

"He got some runs and wickets against Aston and really looked good.

"He also has a good rapport with the players in the dressing room and is a great asset."

Malik, who is set to play for Bromsgrove away at struggling Smethwick this Saturday, continued his rehabilitation by playing for Worcestershire against West Indies A on Sunday at New Road.

He hit three runs off three ball as the Pears made 213 all out in 49 overs. Malik took two wickets for 62 runs as the Windies were dismissed for 204.

by Peter McKinney