St Cross Symondians raised Felix Organ (pictured above) celebrated his promotion to the top of the order with his second career LV= Insurance County Championship century as Hampshire enjoyed the better of day one against Gloucestershire.
Organ returned to open for the first time this year and made the most of his elevation with a simple, chanceless 107, while putting on 161 with James Vince, who scored an uncomplicated 78, writes Alex Smith.
Gloucestershire pegged the hosts back from 225 for two to 310 for eight - with Pakistan left-arm quick Mohammad Amir the pick of the bowlers with three for 51.
Jack of all trades Organ had previously opened in nine first-class matches in the 2019 and 2020 seasons - where he managed a meagre average of 23. Joe Weatherley and Ian Holland have been Adi Birrell and Vince’s preferred opening pair to leave Organ forging a role as a No.7 off-spinner. His bowling utilising the footmarks of left-arm seamer Keith Barker and provides a preferred option that Mason Crane’s leg-spin.
Last season his batting topped out at 67, with an average of 21, but his last two matches this season have seen a quick unbeaten 44 to set up a declaration against Kent and a 42 which rescued Hampshire’s first innings versus Lancashire. Add in 69 for Dorset in a T20 earlier this week and his form can be described as ‘in’.
So, when Weatherley was ruled out of this game with a finger injury, there were no doubts Organ was ready to set the tone as an opener.
Accurate
He was dropped straight into it when Vince decided to bat on a good-looking strip, and had further pressure placed on his shoulders when Holland was caught behind by a gentle away swinger from one-time Bashley (Rydal) all-rounder Ryan Higgins in the third over. .
Organ, who has spent all of his formative cricket years at Winchester’s Green Jackets ground, appeared unfussed and unmovable with a strong defence thwarting Higgins and Amir’s accurate bowling. He and Vince were able to free their arms more against the change bowlers; both adroitly picking the right moments to defend soundly and attack hard.
Organ’s century arrived with a dab to third in 212 balls and was accompanied by a long primal scream and a double fist-pump from the middle and a stand ovation from both his dressing room and the stands.
“It was a great moment and I had to wait because of tea (he was on 98* over the interval) so I was living the feeling before it came. When I went to the three figures it was an amazing feeling and something I’ve been working hard for since Covid.
“I’ve been up and down the order so to get there was pretty special. Last year I was batting at nine at times so to be opening in this game and getting a hundred meant a lot to me. I think I showed that!
“I’m not that fussed about where I bat. I do like opening and walking out at the start of the day and feeling important (joke). I’m happy being in a batter’s position. I find it tougher at eight or nine as it is a bit of a wait.”
Organ returned to open for the first time this year and made the most of his elevation with a simple, chanceless 107, while putting on 161 with James Vince, who scored an uncomplicated 78, writes Alex Smith.
Gloucestershire pegged the hosts back from 225 for two to 310 for eight - with Pakistan left-arm quick Mohammad Amir the pick of the bowlers with three for 51.
Jack of all trades Organ had previously opened in nine first-class matches in the 2019 and 2020 seasons - where he managed a meagre average of 23. Joe Weatherley and Ian Holland have been Adi Birrell and Vince’s preferred opening pair to leave Organ forging a role as a No.7 off-spinner. His bowling utilising the footmarks of left-arm seamer Keith Barker and provides a preferred option that Mason Crane’s leg-spin.
Last season his batting topped out at 67, with an average of 21, but his last two matches this season have seen a quick unbeaten 44 to set up a declaration against Kent and a 42 which rescued Hampshire’s first innings versus Lancashire. Add in 69 for Dorset in a T20 earlier this week and his form can be described as ‘in’.
So, when Weatherley was ruled out of this game with a finger injury, there were no doubts Organ was ready to set the tone as an opener.
Accurate
He was dropped straight into it when Vince decided to bat on a good-looking strip, and had further pressure placed on his shoulders when Holland was caught behind by a gentle away swinger from one-time Bashley (Rydal) all-rounder Ryan Higgins in the third over. .
Organ, who has spent all of his formative cricket years at Winchester’s Green Jackets ground, appeared unfussed and unmovable with a strong defence thwarting Higgins and Amir’s accurate bowling. He and Vince were able to free their arms more against the change bowlers; both adroitly picking the right moments to defend soundly and attack hard.
Organ’s century arrived with a dab to third in 212 balls and was accompanied by a long primal scream and a double fist-pump from the middle and a stand ovation from both his dressing room and the stands.
“It was a great moment and I had to wait because of tea (he was on 98* over the interval) so I was living the feeling before it came. When I went to the three figures it was an amazing feeling and something I’ve been working hard for since Covid.
“I’ve been up and down the order so to get there was pretty special. Last year I was batting at nine at times so to be opening in this game and getting a hundred meant a lot to me. I think I showed that!
“I’m not that fussed about where I bat. I do like opening and walking out at the start of the day and feeling important (joke). I’m happy being in a batter’s position. I find it tougher at eight or nine as it is a bit of a wait.”
