DESPITE suffering an unprecedented series of injuries to key players, Minchinhampton’s County League cricket team sits top of Division Five having lost just one match, writes Mike Waring.

“It has been a shocker injury wise,” said skipper Jaime Waring. “Since the season started we have lost four of our best batsmen to leg injuries – two possibly long term - and Pete Wallis our strike bowler is struggling with a knee problem. Despite that others have stepped up to the plate and our victory at Tewkesbury last weekend was one of the best.”

Jaime’s brother Alex has been in good form with the bat while all-rounder Benoy Ittyavirah has hit a rich vein of form. Minch have also welcomed back veteran Alan Venn, who is fitter than ever and opening the attack with his wily left-arm seam and still hitting runs from the middle order.

On Saturday, on a very damp Tewkesbury track, Minch hit 142-9 but a sparkling bowling and fielding effort saw Pete Raphael take two stunning clip catches and Ittyavirah and Tom Sherman bottle up the Tewkesbury reply to just 75.

“One or two injury problems are starting to heal and we are expecting three or four back from university in the next couple of weeks which will ease the pressure on the seconds who have really suffered as the one’s have called up their players,” added Jaime.

Club chairman Mike Waring added: “Cricket at this level is a bit of a struggle these days, but we have some great committed players who will turn out each week and this year we have recruited a number of players looking to make a comeback to the game. So it’s not all bad. Being top of the league in the circumstances shows we have good strength in depth and resilience.

“The set up here is as good as anywhere and the players appreciate that. Off the field we do our best to keep the players in good heart and they are responding.”