Andy Lewis takes his young Hertfordshire team into the last game of the summer, desperate for the bit of luck they need to end a disappointing year on a positive note. Lewis, who is still looking for his first win this season, and his side will start a t

Andy Lewis takes his young Hertfordshire team into the last game of the summer, desperate for the bit of luck they need to end a disappointing year on a positive note.

Lewis, who is still looking for his first win this season, and his side will start a three-day game at Bury St Edmunds against Suffolk this Sunday.

He said: "I don't want to make excuses, but I do feel we have had a pretty luckless season, and at this level a little bit of luck can go a long way.

"We have lost the toss and been inserted on some pretty difficult wickets, while facing at times, some high quality bowling.

"We have simply not occupied the crease for long periods like we did last year and this has an effect on the amount of runs we are able to score, and the amount of time we take out of each game.

"The highest opening partnership in the championship has been 53, and this exposes the middle order to a ball that is generally still hard.

"Having said that, in Gary Brown of Stevenage and Steve Gale of Potters Bar, I believe we have two young competent openers who could be involved with Hertfordshire cricket for a long time.

"The more they bat together the more they will start to understand each other's game and this will help the whole team.

"We simply haven't scored enough runs to allow our bowlers something to bowl at."

Lewis continued: "When it comes to bowling we have tried a number of different options, but we lack anyone with a bit of pace and the ability to hit the bat hard, we really do need to look to find someone that can fit this mould.

"Andy Hicks of North Mymms has proved to be a good find, but an ideal situation would see him coming on first change rather than having the new ball.

"He has the ability to put the ball in the right areas on a repeated process, and I hope he plays for a long time for us."

Lewis added: "The team has been littered with youngsters and this is probably the most positive aspect.

"It gives them experience and should mean that over the next three years we will start to produce players who are experienced and capable of playing well at this level.

"The next few years have to be all about growing as a unit and working towards a goal of getting up towards the top of the league as we learn.