HIMBLETON opener Jon Critchlow has put his scintillating form with the bat down to his appointment as skipper this season.
The talented batsman’s impressive 123 in Himbleton’s victory over Bartestree & Lugwardine CC last Saturday was his third century of the campaign.
His heavy scoring, which included a career-best 187 against Alveley, has also been key to the Meadow Boy’s form as they currently sit at the top of Division Three of the Worcestershire County League.
And the 31-year-old believes the extra responsibility of captaining the side has improved his game.
“Being captain has certainly helped my batting,” he said. “The last time I was captain was about ten years ago, but I have taken it on again and it has improved my game.
“I obviously want to lead by example now, but I have also got a lot of faith in our middle order, which takes a lot of the pressure off.”
Critchlow said the return of Jamie Alford, Sean Jenkins and Mike Rogers had also made a big difference to his side, who secured promotion last season.
“When Mike came back last year he was a driving force in helping us get promoted and then Sean and Jamie have come back this season, which has kicked us on a bit more,” he said.
“We knew we would be reasonably strong this season, but to be top at this point is a surprise.”
And Critchlow believed their in-form batting line-up, which will be boosted by the returning Stu Dickenson, could also trouble Chaddesley Corbett tomorrow (Saturday).
“We have played all the teams in the middle or bottom half of the table. But last week, this week and next week we are playing the teams around us,” he added.
“We had a good win last week and we have got Chaddesley and if we can beat them then it will put a bit of daylight between us and them.
“They have got a few decent bowlers, so that will test our batting, but I think we have got the players to put pressure on them.”
