OPENER Uzi Qureshi reckons Wiltshire’s bowlers got their batsmen out of a bit of trouble after they began their Unicorns Knockout Trophy campaign with a 46-run success at home to Hertfordshire on Sunday.

Qureshi (28) and partner Tom Morton (56) got Wiltshire off to a positive start at Warminster, sharing an opening stand of 83 before the 100 came up for the loss of just one wicket.

However, only skipper Michael Coles (44) and Ed Young (32) reached double figures from there on in as the hosts could only post a below-par total of 190 all out.

Wiltshire were in need of some inspired bowling to give them a chance of victory and that’s exactly what they got as spinners Young, Joe King and Jake Lintott claimed three wickets apiece to skittle Hertfordshire out for 144.

After suffering a heavy defeat away at Wales in their seasonal bow 12 months ago, Qureshi took plenty of heart from a more positive beginning to the campaign this term.

“It was good to get off to a winning start. We were a bit disappointing in this competition last year, so to hit the ground running this time is very encouraging,” said Qureshi.

“We got off to a good start and I think we were on about 90 after nine overs.

“Tom was in really good nick and I was just trying to get him the strike as much as possible. When he is on form, I don’t think there is an attack at our level that can contain him and it was a really good knock from him.

“From that position, we should have been looking to score 250 to 300, so we were a little bit disappointed not to reach 200. On another day, we could have been in a bit of trouble but luckily, we bowled really well.

“When you are defending a total that’s a little on the low side, you have to keep things tight and that’s what the spinners did.

“It wasn’t just about wickets, although they took three each, so that was really good. It was about restricting the runs and they did that really well.”

Wiltshire will go on the road for the first time this summer when they travel to Bedfordshire on Sunday to take on a side who have two wins from two and sit on top of the early Group Four table.