READING CC captain Bobby Malik is pleading to his players to learn from Martin Andersson after crashing to a 122-run defeat at Finchampstead on Saturday, writes Dave Wright.

The teenager scored an unbeaten 101 out of his side’s total of 140 ​ after occupying the crease for 165 minutes.​ With Pav Chima scoring 22 and seven extras, nine team-mates managed only 10 runs between them and ​half of them came from last-man Ryan James who could hardly walk after damaging his toe while fielding.

A week earlier, Andersson had scored 81 of his team’s total of 159 in their seven-wicket win over Harefield.

Skipper Bobby Malik admitted.”When it comes to batting, we are a one-man team at the moment – and that has to change.

​“Other batsmen need to give him more support. He sets a great example and others in the team need to learn from him.”

The hosts, winning for the fourth game in a row, boast arguably the most potent bowling attack in the Home Counties Premier League Division One with South African Jandre Coetzee and Berkshire paceman Matt Carter.

Left-arm seamer Coetzee took five wickets in the match to take his total to 21 in just four games, but for the first time this season he found a batsman ​willing to attack him.

Andersson ​had the confidence to step down the wicket to counteract Coetzee’s swing bowling.

“It was one of the best innings I have ever seen Martin play, as he was under a lot of pressure against a good bowling attack,” added Malik.

The Reading skipper believes his side are still capable of pulling away from the lower reaches of Division One, but knows they need to start improving quickly.

He isn’t being helped by the unavailability of players for various reasons, and last Saturday was forced to give three players their first-team debuts at in-form Finchampstead.

The trio didn’t manage a run between them, although Asim Zaka was unluckily run out, but at least Chris Dishington made something of an impression by taking 3-46 off 13 with his steady medium pacers ​which frequently hit a good length.​ “Chris did well,” said Malik. “He bowled with discipline and to his field.”

​The 24-year-old’s three victims included Finchampstead’s top two scorers, Dan Marles (103) and Dan Lincoln (54), as well as former Reading all-rounder Andy Rishton, who made only four before edging Dishington into the hands of keeper Firaz Amjad.

Of the other bowlers, Amardeep Dosanijh took 2-20 off four and Malik 1-41 off 13.

Andersson took three catches in addition to running out Matt Jones (30), while Waqas Ahmed also took a good catch to dismiss ex-Reading wicket-keeper Sukhi Kang for 13.

Finchampstead’s total of 262-8 off 64 overs was clearly out of Reading’s reach. With one over lost due to rain just before the tea interval, the visitors were left with 55 overs and they survived for 47.4 of them, largely thanks to Andersson’s determination. ​ He hit 14 boundaries, the last of which came when he cleverly ​guided a delivery from Coetzee low through the slips to bring up his century.

For the second time in three weeks, Malik held a long team talk after the game.

“The players know they have to improve and start producing some better performances,” said the skipper. “Some are lacking in confidence and need to get some runs to change that.”

That won’t be easy, however, as their next two games are home to unbeaten leaders Banbury this Saturday and then away to second-placed Wycombe a week later.

Ian Slatcher and Phil Brennan, who both missed the Finchampstead game, return this week but Dishington and Zaka retain their places. Chima is not available.

There is, however, a doubt over the fitness of James, who believes he may have suffered a hairline fracture of his toe when ​struck by a shot from Marles when fielding at short leg.

  •  JACK Beaven has been appointed club captain at Reading for the remainder of this season. He replaces Kashif Nasim, who has returned to Pakistan and is unsure when he will be back in England.

Club vice-chairman Jacqui Salazar commented: “Jack ​is a well-respected member of our club and goes beyond the call of duty to help out with the ground work and repairs where necessary, and his knowledge of the players’ abilities will certainly help the captains during selection.

“Kash has very kindly offered to provide a handover and guidance to Jack. I would like to thank Kash for all his help, support and commitment to the club over the years.”