OPENING bowlers Jon Dovey and Phil Harris are set to return as Barnards Green bid to bounce back against Bridgnorth at North End Lane on Saturday (midday).

Captain Ryan Tongue said the influential duo were missed last weekend as Green were sent crashing to a nine-wicket defeat at Tamworth.

The Malvern side were bowled out for 153 before an unbeaten century from Liam Banks steered the hosts to a comfortable Birmingham League Division One win.

But with Dovey and Harris back and first-choice wicketkeeper Ash Brewer also available Tongue said he was “confident” they would respond against mid-table Bridgnorth.

“We will have a full strength side this weekend,” Tongue said.

“It is a boost for us to have Jon and Phil back as they have got experience having played in this league for many years and have got the high quality skills that we need.

“We were also missing Ash who is my keeper and is another high class player. Those three will come back into the team.

“We have definitely got the side to pull out all the stops to get a positive result but we just need to kick-start our batting and score the runs that we should be scoring.”

After being put in to bat by Tamworth, Green suffered an early blow as opener Adam Wiffen holed out to Banks off James Rudge for four.

Rudge also dismissed Tongue (13) as the visitors found themselves on 31-2 but Oli Swift and George Rhodes got their side back on track.

Swift made 37 and Rhodes 38 as Green pushed onto three figures but when the pair were removed Tamworth took control.

The wickets of Josh Blunt (19) and Dannie Rees (15) were both claimed by Jason Jakeman while Liam Banks (4-30) polished off the tail.

Chasing 156 for victory Tamworth lost Rudge (12) when he was caught by Rees off the bowling of Shane Thompson.

But this was the home side’s only blemish as Banks went on the attack, smashing 10 fours and five sixes on his way to 100 not out.

Jacob Flower finished unbeaten on 38 as Tamworth reached their target in the 25th over.

Reflecting on the defeat, Tongue said: “We didn’t have the best of starts as we lost quick wickets.

“Unfortunately George and Oli got out just after drinks so we had no momentum to then carry on and get a fighting score.

“Liam Banks is one of the best players in the country at the moment and he batted really well and showed our batters what they should have done.”