HEREFORDSHIRE Seconds have defended picking overseas players for their match against The Army.

South Africans Senuran Muthusamy and Adam Wiffen and Pakistani Uday Kaul all played in the match at Aldershot, which Herefordshire won by 49 runs.

But team manager Tom Bevan said that only eight squad players were available to play due to it being on a Thursday and he had to get the balance right.

"The second XI have played The Army on an annual basis since 2013 and the fixture has always been on a Thursday at The Army's request," explained Bevan.

"The day in which the fixture was to be played could not be moved and ultimately, Thursday is an awkward day to play cricket.

"In addition, the fixture was moved from Tidworth to Aldershot two weeks prior to the game adding more mileage to the travelling.

"Nonetheless, we as a set-up did not want to forfeit the game as playing The Army has proven to be a very good fixture and something we feel we should do our upmost to retain.

"That said, only eight players from the squad were available, therefore we either gave up or looked at alternatives.

"To complicate our position, The Army had confirmed it would in fact be their first XI that would be fielded at Aldershot as they needed the game time."

Bevan added that a number of South African and West Indian players were picked by The Army, so it was important that Herefordshire fielded a competitive side.

"We could have fielded three inexperienced local players who had not been involved in the set-up to date and risk the credibility of the fixture or alternatively, look to some quality to provide a backbone to the side which in our opinion would only aid the fixture," said Bevan.

"Obviously we opted for the latter and the outcome was a very competitive and high standard fixture where eight local players benefitted greatly."

Kaul top scored with 65 as Herefordshire posted 224-8 off their 50 overs, while Stephen Morgan (3-34) was the pick of their bowlers.

Herefordshire also beat Wiltshire by seven wickets at Brockhampton.

Jack Taylor, Barney Morgan and Benny Ellis all snapped up two wickets for Herefordshire, while Ellis (75 not out) and Ian Bullock (61 not out) were the pick of the batsmen.