BASINGSTOKE and North Hants captain Chris Froud admits that his side’s batting form is a concern heading into the second half of the season.

The Bountymen have lost two of their last three Southern League Division One games, a run that has left them third in the table, adrift of the top two.

They didn’t bat well in either of the games they lost – they were skittled out for just 50 at home to table-topping Hook and Newnham Basics, and struggled with the bat again in their two-wicket defeat to Bournemouth last weekend, only reaching 200 thanks to a last-wicket stand of 50 between Chris Oliver and Rakitha Perera.

Froud said: “Our batting is a concern at the moment. Everyone needs to take more personal responsibility to dig in and work hard, because we are giving our wickets away.

“As a team, we need to adapt to situations better. The way Chris Oliver batted against Bournemouth is a good example of what more of us should be doing. He was put in a difficult position by the other batsmen but reacted really well.”

Next up for Froud’s men is a trip to struggling Calmore Sports, who have lost their last two games, and five of their last six in total.

Froud added: “We don’t know a great deal about Calmore but they are struggling, so it’s a game we will be looking to win.”

Basingstoke will continue to be without all-rounder Graham Porter and left-arm spinner Dave Pistorius, so Froud is expecting to name an unchanged line-up.