Dan is the man for Himbleton (From Worcester News)

Dan is the man for Himbleton

12:00pm Thursday 26th July 2012 in Sport By Tom Guest, @tomguestWN #WENsport

GOING into their Worcestershire League Division Three clash at home to Himbleton, the Himley bowlers would have done well to heed the warning — Brace yourselves!

Having reduced their opponents from near Droitwich to 30-4, the Himley side would have been thinking about wrapping up a convincing victory, but they hadn’t bargained for the onslaught that was to follow as Dan Brace and Mohsin Ali Kamran teamed up for a magnificent 200-run partnership.

The dramatic recovery, which saw Brace finish unbeaten on a superb 161 and Kamran unluckily run out for 99, lifted Himbleton to a huge total of 321-9 from their 50 overs.

Adam Naylor claimed 5-57 from his 13 overs, but all of the Himley bowlers felt the force of Brace’s big hitting as the on-song batsman smashed nine sixes and 18 fours in his mammoth knock, which has been recognised with our Cricketer of the Week award and the accompanying prize of a £30 voucher for the Fearnley Factory Shop in Worcester.

The north Worcestershire hosts did manage to compose themselves and an innings of 71 from Thomas Wall and 77 from Maz Shah ensured they reached 241-6 in their reply to secure a draw.

However, Brace, who was only playing his fourth match of the season, was happy with his efforts and is hoping to continue in the same vein for the remainder of Himbleton’s campaign.

He said: “We started the game badly and lost four early wickets, so when I went out to the middle I just made sure I settled down and got myself in.

“Kamran and I put on over 200 for the fifth wicket and we just gelled together — well we did until I sent him back and he was run out for 99! Obviously, I went on to bat until the end of our innings and, after he’d calmed down a bit, he was OK about it!”

Brace added: “That was my highest ever score and I’m pretty sure it is also a new club record for Himbleton.

“I had only played three games this season before the Himley match and had done alright with a 40-odd against Stourbridge Social.

“However, after scoring 161 last weekend, there is quite a lot of expectation on me now to keep doing it for the rest of the season.”

Beware Chaddesley Corbett, who Himbleton entertain on Saturday, you have been warned!