Barker gets green light to turn out for Knowle; BIRMINGHAM LEAGUE CRICKET.

Byline: Nick Pullen

LEADERS Knowle and Dorridge will have Warwickshire all-rounder Keith Barker available to them for the trip to third-placed Kenilworth Wardens tomorrow.

Barker will open Knowle and Dorridge's bowling attack with Ben Coley as the Station Road side look to extend their 48-point advantage at the top.

The leaders have lost the services of South African Jacobus Pienaar and former Glamorgan batsman David Hemp, who is currently playing for his native Bermuda.

They have also suffered a third blow with one-time Warwickshire paceman Nick Warren being ruled out for the remainder of the season.

Skipper Jamie Spires said: "Nick broke his finger during the National Knockout game, but it has since set incorrectly.

"He's had the finger pinned and placed in a cast, which prevents him from playing.'' However, Knowle and Dorridge still have plenty of county experience at their disposal with wicketkeeper Richard Johnson, Nick James and Luke Parker all available to play.

Improving Moseley will look to Australian Pete Magafas and Calum MacLeod to continue their fine form with the bat when they host Shrewsbury where victory could take the Streetsbrook Road side into the top three.

At the opposite end of the table Bromsgrove have a huge game on their hands at fellow strugglers Walsall.

Three-time champions Walsall have surprisingly slipped into the bottom two - but just one point separates them from Bromsgrove.

Much will depend on the form of Bromsgrove's opening batsman, New Zealander Ashley Newdick, and Alexie Kervezee, the young Dutchman currently on Worcestershire's books.

Second-placed Wolverhampton entertain bottom side Leamington Spa while Walmley play host to Barnt Green.

Kidderminster Victoria complete the Premier Division fixtures with a home game against Himley.