George Metzger clips the ball through gully on his way to a maiden Premier Division century. Photo Simon Hipwell.
Little George Metzger made an astonishing debut-making century as the Hampshire Academy thrashed New Milton by 164 runs at Fernhill to avenge an opening day of the season defeat.
Hampshire’s Under-15 wicketkeeper, Metzger, is little over 5’ tall. He normally plays for Basingstoke & North Hants, but turned out for the Academy as he was unable to play against Ventnor on the Isle of Wight.
But he grabbed an unexpected opportunity to debut for the Academy in quite sensational style, hitting 12 fours in a maiden 109 and sharing a 159-run third-wicket stand with Felix Organ (84).
Academy coach James Tomlinson said: “I asked for application from all the batters before the game as I didn't know what the New Milton wicket would be like.
“It ended up a good one and George showed great application, unfazed by it all. He clipped, cut and went over mid wicket well."
Ryan Beck (41) and George Watts (3-54) wheeled away but any faint prospect New Milton had of threatening a daunting 298 ended when Chris Sole (5-35) and Scott Currie (2-1) reduced the hosts to 37-4.
Only the Beck brothers, Ryan (41) and Lee (26) put up any opposition as NM slumped to 134 all out.
Tomlinson added: “Sole hit the stumps with pace and carried on his good form from Hampshire second team T20s in the week.”
Hampshire’s Under-15 wicketkeeper, Metzger, is little over 5’ tall. He normally plays for Basingstoke & North Hants, but turned out for the Academy as he was unable to play against Ventnor on the Isle of Wight.
But he grabbed an unexpected opportunity to debut for the Academy in quite sensational style, hitting 12 fours in a maiden 109 and sharing a 159-run third-wicket stand with Felix Organ (84).
Academy coach James Tomlinson said: “I asked for application from all the batters before the game as I didn't know what the New Milton wicket would be like.
“It ended up a good one and George showed great application, unfazed by it all. He clipped, cut and went over mid wicket well."
Ryan Beck (41) and George Watts (3-54) wheeled away but any faint prospect New Milton had of threatening a daunting 298 ended when Chris Sole (5-35) and Scott Currie (2-1) reduced the hosts to 37-4.
Only the Beck brothers, Ryan (41) and Lee (26) put up any opposition as NM slumped to 134 all out.
Tomlinson added: “Sole hit the stumps with pace and carried on his good form from Hampshire second team T20s in the week.”
Chris Sole, five wickets for Academy [Simon Hipwell]
