BROCKHAMPTON have retained the services of county players Jamie McIlroy and Daryl Mitchall as they look to kick-start their Birmingham League campaign after a disappointing opening weekend.

The Herefordshire side got their 2019 season off to a slow start with a league and cup defeat.

However, Worcestershire’s Mitchell is yet to feature for Brockhampton who are also waiting to introduce overseas player Param Uppal.

All-rounder Uppal is currently signed to New South Wales and is a former Australian under-19 player.

The 20-year-old is set to join the squad for their match at Tamworth this Saturday.

Ben Stebbings has also returned to play for Brockhampton from Shrewsbury.

The opening league game of the 2019 campaign saw the Herefordshire side host a Himley team who also narrowly avoided relegation last season.

After losing the toss and being put into bat the hosts started well with opener Adam Hewlett hitting 37 which helped his side to 60-3.

Tom Austwick put in a steady innings of 32, but with wickets constantly falling around him he couldn’t prevent his side from being bowled out for 139 off 39.1 overs.

Making his first team debut at just 15 years old Charlie Williams took a wicket in his first over after Himley had scored just two runs on the board.

However, Worcestershire’s Oli Westbury opened the batting for Himley and his stand of 78 runs laid the foundations for the visitors to seal victory reaching 142-2 off 31 overs.

Joe Crichard, who left The Parks side in the summer for Barnards Green, saw his new side knock Brockhampton out of the Birmingham League 20/20 Challenge Cup on Sunday after the visitors conceded the tie.

That was just one of a few changes at the Herefordshire side over the winter with Ian Bullock dropping down to play for Bromyard in the Worcestershire League Division One while Tom Cummins has moved away from the area due to work commitments.