Sunning himself on a Greek beach, your correspondent missed another highlight of what has turned out to be a pretty vintage season, with a fourth centurion. Jasper Smallwood threw his hat firmly into the ring for the 2010 batting award with an unbeaten century in the inaugural fixture at Otterden. Bringing his season to life, much as Alistair Cook had done at the Oval two weeks previously, Jasper carried his bat for 112*, scored more than half the Straggler runs, and showed many a more experienced bat how it should be done.
Now all rests in the lap of the Gods and the final fixture at Hollingbourne. All the contenders are playing, and the Match Manager may be open to inducements……
