SKIPPER Firaz Amjad admitted his Reading side “need to start learning quickly” if they hope to turn their season around.

The Sonning Lane men are still seeking their first Home Counties Premier League Division Two win following a 175-run defeat at the hands of Chesham on Saturday.

Replying to the visitors’ 277-5 declared, Reading were skittled out for a mere 102 with Amjad (pictured) making exactly half that total off 95 balls.

That was by far his best innings this year, and he is now looking for his team-mates to up their scores as well.

Ollie Williams, with 25, and Asim Zaka (10) were the only other players to reach double figures.

Amjad commented: “I have been struggling to last more than 10 balls, so I was pleased to last longer today, but gutted I didn’t stay longer at the crease.

“I was disappointed I didn’t see it through to the end as it would have been nice to get a draw.”

He added: “I feel we are improving as a team. We are getting to a stage where we know each others strengths and what we can do and can’t do.

“We knew it wasn’t going to be easy with so many new players coming into the team and is is taking time for us to adapt.

“But we do need to start learning as quickly as possible.

“Our top order needs to do better and start to get some decent scores as we need to put some bigger totals on the board.”

Amjad admits Reading are missing both batsman Jake Roberts,who got a half-century in his first game, and spinner Qasim Ali, who are both sidelined with broken fingers.

Reading’s weakened attack came in for some heavy punishment at the hands of Chesham.

Luke Webb smashed 100 off 104 balls with four sixes and five fours, Matt Rance made 65 off 68 and Andy Goddard 47 off 99.

Having handed over the wicketkeeper’s gloves to Ankoma Phillips, Amjad got through 18 overs of off-spin, taking 1-68.

The other wicket takers were Hamish Scott with 1-46, Williams 1-53, Azeem Qayyum 1-26 and Abid Ul Wahab 1-64.

Reading’s reply never took off, with the first three wickets falling for just five runs.

Amjad did help push the score along to 93-6, only to see the the last four wickets tumble for nine runs.

Reading are away to Aston Rowant this Saturday.

In Division 4a of the Thames Valley League, Reading 2nds went down fighting against NPL.

They were bowled out for 154 with Chris Priddle making an excellent 70, and then took eight wickets before the hosts reached their target in the 43rd over with Dani Katuri taking 3-21.