Run machine De Villiers on course for SPL record
Run machine Matt De Villiers struck his third Southern Premier League century of a potentially historic season.
The 21-year-old South African hit 123 as Hambledon extended their winning start to the Division 2 season to eight games against Bashley 2nds at Ridge Meadow.
It was his second SPL ton in eight days, following on from his 168 against Hartley Wintney - Hambledon’s highest SPL individual innings of the 21st century.
De Villiers now boasts a stunning record of 694 league runs at 115.67 from eight innings - 248 more than the next highest scorer across the four tiers of the SPL, Havant’s Chris Stone.
His league innings so far in 2022 are of Bradmanesque proportions - 89, 67, 63 not out, 100, 53, 31 not out, 168 and 123.
He needs just 383 more runs from a possible 10 innings to beat Will Prozesky’s all-time league record of 1,076 set in 2005.
Dons skipper Spencer Le Clercq has made a habit of batting first on winning the toss this season, and he did so again against Bashley.
In the absence of second top runscorer Dan McGovern, Le Clercq promoted himself to open. And, after George Marshall (10) had departed early, he added 112 for the second wicket with De Villiers before falling for 54.
De Villiers powered on to his latest century, eventually dismissed after hitting 16 fours and a six off 94 balls.
With Bashley conceding 35 wides, Hambledon posted a daunting 293 all out total the final wicket falling off the last ball of the 50th over.
While De Villiers could one day play first class cricket, his side boast a player who has already been there and done that.
And it was Ian Turner - the 53-year-old former Hampshire spinner - who removed the Bashley top three en route to 3-34 in his third league game of 2022.
Shahryar Khan (4-20) impressed after Turner had done the initial damage as the New Forest club - asked to chase a rain revised target of 227 in 35 overs - were bowled out for 192 (James Trodd 38, extras 37).
Hambledon are 16 points clear of OTs & Romsey at the top of the table.
Next up for the table-toppers is a short trip to thirdplaced Waterlooville.