Top-flight return holds no fears for Wardens after cup breeze

However, Martin Donald’s team, who are newly returned to the top flight, will need to be at their best to open their account when last year’s runners-up Brockhampton visit Glasshouse Park (noon start).

The visitors, whose ranks include a range of Herefordshire Minor Counties players including former Walsall stalwart Chris Boroughs, are one of the pre-season favourites to succeed Shrewsbury as Birmingham League champions.

Wardens will be without Sitanshu Kotak, whose return has been delayed a week by his coaching commitments in India, but skipper Donald is optimistic his team will give a good account of themselves.

He said: “We’ve had a good pre-season, topped off with two excellent warm-up matches, and the new signings have fitted in well. We are well suited to the 50-over win-lose format matches that open the season as we have plenty of bowling options and good batting depth.

“It is a shame that Kotak is missing, but we are far from a one-man team, and after such a successful season last year, we are all champing at the bit to get started.”

Donald led from the front against Dartmouth, smashing an unbeaten 133 as the visitors racked up 331 for three in their 40 overs. He struck 19 boundaries and five sixes in his 68-ball knock, in the process adding 167 for the fourth wicket with debutant Arjun Bath (30 not out).

This built on foundations laid by Nick Seager (76) and Keith Bell (60), who added 104 in a breezy opening stand.

Amit John (2-57) was the pick of Dartmouth’s nine-man attack and he also contributed a useful 30 from the top of the order, which along with Dan Bassett’s 37 saw the hosts to 110 for two.

However, spin duo Matt Hancock (3-10) and Anthony Wilkinson (2-20) then took charge as Dartmouth were dismissed in the 35th over for 145.