Felix Organ, maiden County Championship century [Dave Reynolds]
St Cross Symondians all-rounder Felix Organ celebrated his maiden first-class century as Hampshire ended day one of their Specsavers County Championship fixture with Kent slightly on top.
Academy graduate Organ, on just his third Championship appearance, showed a delightful mixture of defensive resolve with a pinch of flair to score exactly 100, writes Alex Smith.
The 20-year-old Shawford-based Organ, part of Hampshire’s fresh opening partnership, enjoyed sizeable partnerships with fellow opener Ian Holland and middle-order Rilee Rossouw – who both collected half centuries of their own.
But despite Hampshire bossing the day, evening wickets with the second new ball gave Kent rewards for their toils – as the hosts ended the day on 340 for six.
Hampshire appear to have stumbled across two young openers, in Holland and Organ, in the wake of Joe Weatherley’s fractured ankle.
The new-look top order worked against Warwickshire a week ago, when Holland churned out his first professional hundred. But this was Organ’s turn to prove his worth.
Attacking intent
Together they saw off the new ball with relative ease, neither offering a chance, with Holland playing a series of glorious off-side shots.
While Holland played with a glimmer of attacking intent, Organ curbed his aggression – with his wicket prized more importantly than runs in the morning session. Holland followed his century a week ago with a 74-ball fifty.
Organ’s innings was particularly curious as he reached his half-century in 158 balls, but with three sixes to his name.
At one point his strike-rate dipped below 20 to hint at a watchful vigil but had a penchant for the odd attacking shot meant there was plenty of entertainment on show.
Hampshire saw three wickets fall for 22 runs in five overs. Amid the collapse, Organ ran the happiest three of his life to reach three figures in 234 balls; his enthusiasm was matched by a loud reaction from the crowd. But next ball he nibbled outside off stump and edged behind.
Organ reflected: “It was awesome. I remember the first game I played here and I got a massive clap when I scored a run and thought ‘oh my word this is awesome, I’ve only scored one run’ then today getting a hundred was the best feeling ever.
“I don’t usually play in front of this many people! I’ve played here since Under 9's and it all builds up to this. This is what I practice and play for. It all comes into one moment of relief, slash this is so cool.
“You always hope that it will happen but after last week, despite only scoring one, I thought I can do this. Batting with Dutch is easy because he scores quite quickly which means I can just bat, which is the same with Rilee. When they score with good pace it means you can hold in there and take your time.
“I learnt from last week that they are going to bowl well and know I can’t let pressure get to me and play a booming drive, but against spin I didn’t want to stay in and block it. It was about 30 blocks and then a big slog!
“It was a good day but there was a spell with the new ball where it looked like we could have ended up being under 400 for a lot less wickets in hand.”
Academy graduate Organ, on just his third Championship appearance, showed a delightful mixture of defensive resolve with a pinch of flair to score exactly 100, writes Alex Smith.
The 20-year-old Shawford-based Organ, part of Hampshire’s fresh opening partnership, enjoyed sizeable partnerships with fellow opener Ian Holland and middle-order Rilee Rossouw – who both collected half centuries of their own.
But despite Hampshire bossing the day, evening wickets with the second new ball gave Kent rewards for their toils – as the hosts ended the day on 340 for six.
Hampshire appear to have stumbled across two young openers, in Holland and Organ, in the wake of Joe Weatherley’s fractured ankle.
The new-look top order worked against Warwickshire a week ago, when Holland churned out his first professional hundred. But this was Organ’s turn to prove his worth.
Attacking intent
Together they saw off the new ball with relative ease, neither offering a chance, with Holland playing a series of glorious off-side shots.
While Holland played with a glimmer of attacking intent, Organ curbed his aggression – with his wicket prized more importantly than runs in the morning session. Holland followed his century a week ago with a 74-ball fifty.
Organ’s innings was particularly curious as he reached his half-century in 158 balls, but with three sixes to his name.
At one point his strike-rate dipped below 20 to hint at a watchful vigil but had a penchant for the odd attacking shot meant there was plenty of entertainment on show.
Hampshire saw three wickets fall for 22 runs in five overs. Amid the collapse, Organ ran the happiest three of his life to reach three figures in 234 balls; his enthusiasm was matched by a loud reaction from the crowd. But next ball he nibbled outside off stump and edged behind.
Organ reflected: “It was awesome. I remember the first game I played here and I got a massive clap when I scored a run and thought ‘oh my word this is awesome, I’ve only scored one run’ then today getting a hundred was the best feeling ever.
“I don’t usually play in front of this many people! I’ve played here since Under 9's and it all builds up to this. This is what I practice and play for. It all comes into one moment of relief, slash this is so cool.
“You always hope that it will happen but after last week, despite only scoring one, I thought I can do this. Batting with Dutch is easy because he scores quite quickly which means I can just bat, which is the same with Rilee. When they score with good pace it means you can hold in there and take your time.
“I learnt from last week that they are going to bowl well and know I can’t let pressure get to me and play a booming drive, but against spin I didn’t want to stay in and block it. It was about 30 blocks and then a big slog!
“It was a good day but there was a spell with the new ball where it looked like we could have ended up being under 400 for a lot less wickets in hand.”
