Swindon suffered a second crushing defeat of the season against league leaders Frocester on Saturday, this time by a nine-wicket margin. Swindon skipper Will Nichols elected to bat first after winning the toss on a beautiful batting track.

The Swindon innings began disastrously as Beasant was caught behind off the first ball, from Australian paceman Duval.

Fellow opener Danny Baker followed in Duval's next over, bowled for six, and Swindon were struggling at 12-2. Paul Baden and Matt Baker then began to repair some of the early damage, adding 39 in taking the score past 50 before Baden was caught off the bowling of Easto for 25, in the 17th over.

Nichols joined Baker, but after a promising beginning the Swindon captain was caught for 11 in the 25th over, to leave the visitors struggling on 72-4.

Duval returned to claim the wicket of Fox, and spinner Davis claimed the wickets of Cock, Tucker and Richardson in quick succession, as Swindon were reduced to 115-8.

With partners running out, Baker accelerated the score over the next few overs, making an excellent half century, before number 11 Zohaib smashed three fours off Duval. The Australian had the last laugh, removing the tailender, as Swindon were dismissed for 157 in the 43rd over, with Baker undefeated on 75.

This total was never really going to test a Frocester side containing ex-Gloucestershire batsman Nick Trainor, and so it proved. With fellow opener Whincup also in good form, the pair accelerated towards their target from the first ball, and Stinchcombe apart, smashed the Swindon bowling to all parts of the ground.

Trainor passed his 50 off only 42 balls, before Nichols eventually had him caught by Tucker for 69 in the 18th over. With the score on 110. Evans joined Whincup, and the pair successfully eased past their target in the 27th over, with the latter undefeated on 62.