Max Smith has been busy making up for lost time – two unbeaten centuries in four days helping to put the painful memories of last summer to the back of his mind.
Smith spent the entire 2014 season a frustrated spectator, side-lined with a back injury which took a long time to heal.
But, rejuvenated, he’s bounced back in real style with a ‘double treble’ for OTs & Romsey and then Hampshire Seniors.
He cracked his first century for some while with an unbeaten 128 in OTs’ seven-wicket Hampshire League win over Hook & Newnham Basics II.
And then took to the air to smash the Channel Islands attack for 133 in the ECB Over-50s County Championship in Jersey in midweek.
“I really am making up for lost time. Last season was a massive disappointment – not only being unable to play, but hardly coach either,” said Romsey stalwart, who holds an ECB Level 3 coaching badge.
Smith coaches two of the Hampshire county junior sides and is also mentor to the Southampton University side which competes in the BUCS Championship.
The likeable Smith, who cut his teeth as a batsman/wicketkeeper in his Lymington days, but is now a very respected off-spin bowler, has been scoring runs locally for years.
He recalls one magical day from the past – back in 1995 – when Romsey won the Hampshire League County Division 1 championship.
“It was the last game of the season against Paultons and we need to win it to clinch the title,” he remembered.
“Myself and Charlie Forward, with whom I enjoyed many great stands both at Canford then Romsey, enjoyed an opening partnership of 364 – something that will probably never be beaten.
“I got a double hundred that day and subsequently went on to score a century in every one of the Premier Divisions.”
Coaching has subsequently taken up a great deal of Smith’s time in recent seasons but, with the sun of his back, he’s clearly back in fine fettle doing what he enjoys best – scoring runs !
Against Hook last weekend, he enjoyed a big stand with Richard Lake (50) as OTR chased down 208-8 to win.
Smith cracked three sixes and 13 fours in his midweek 133 not out for the Hampshire Over-50s – and then took 4-32 bowling his off-spin.
The only downside is buying the celebratory post-match jug, or jugs in his case.
“Having to buy two in a week came a bit expensive. Just as well then I didn’t get five wickets in Jersey", he laughed.
Smith spent the entire 2014 season a frustrated spectator, side-lined with a back injury which took a long time to heal.
But, rejuvenated, he’s bounced back in real style with a ‘double treble’ for OTs & Romsey and then Hampshire Seniors.
He cracked his first century for some while with an unbeaten 128 in OTs’ seven-wicket Hampshire League win over Hook & Newnham Basics II.
And then took to the air to smash the Channel Islands attack for 133 in the ECB Over-50s County Championship in Jersey in midweek.
“I really am making up for lost time. Last season was a massive disappointment – not only being unable to play, but hardly coach either,” said Romsey stalwart, who holds an ECB Level 3 coaching badge.
Smith coaches two of the Hampshire county junior sides and is also mentor to the Southampton University side which competes in the BUCS Championship.
The likeable Smith, who cut his teeth as a batsman/wicketkeeper in his Lymington days, but is now a very respected off-spin bowler, has been scoring runs locally for years.
He recalls one magical day from the past – back in 1995 – when Romsey won the Hampshire League County Division 1 championship.
“It was the last game of the season against Paultons and we need to win it to clinch the title,” he remembered.
“Myself and Charlie Forward, with whom I enjoyed many great stands both at Canford then Romsey, enjoyed an opening partnership of 364 – something that will probably never be beaten.
“I got a double hundred that day and subsequently went on to score a century in every one of the Premier Divisions.”
Coaching has subsequently taken up a great deal of Smith’s time in recent seasons but, with the sun of his back, he’s clearly back in fine fettle doing what he enjoys best – scoring runs !
Against Hook last weekend, he enjoyed a big stand with Richard Lake (50) as OTR chased down 208-8 to win.
Smith cracked three sixes and 13 fours in his midweek 133 not out for the Hampshire Over-50s – and then took 4-32 bowling his off-spin.
The only downside is buying the celebratory post-match jug, or jugs in his case.
“Having to buy two in a week came a bit expensive. Just as well then I didn’t get five wickets in Jersey", he laughed.
