HIMBLETON opening batsman Jon Critchlow is having champagne a season and has amassed 899 league runs at an average of 99.89.

Critchlow racked up his fifth league century when he carried his bat for 166 in promotion- chasing Himbleton’s 231-run battering of Alveley.

It has been a summer to remember for the captain, who married Kate Davies at the beginning of July.

Critchlow’s latest batting effort has earned him the accolade of Worcester News player of the week, He wins a £25 Fearnley Factory Shop voucher.

He was also awarded the prize earlier this term after hammering a personal-best 187 – also against Alveley in Himbleton’s 231-run success.

Himbleton are top of Worcestershire League Division Three by three points from Alvechurch and Chaddesley Corbett – sides the villagers will face in their final two fixtures of the campaign.

However, due to Critchlow’s rugby commitments with Bromsgrove, he will miss Himbleton’s final two games.

“It’s just one of those seasons when things have gone my way,” said Critchlow, who lives in Drakes Broughton.

“I got married at the start of July – that all went to plan – but I missed cricket for most of July. But I have just come back and played three matches in August and it has gone well.

“One of the lads at the club told that I was averaging close to 100 and, of course that’s nice, but the most important thing is for the team to keep winning. I have only ever had two league hundreds in a season before so to have five is a new personal record.

“I have beaten my previous record for the most runs in a league season – 860-odd – and anything on top of that will be a nice bonus.”

Stourport’s Andrew Siwicki holds the record for the most runs in Division Three – he amassed 1,135 in 2011.

Critchlow’s superb unbeaten 166, containing 24 fours and six, propelled Himbleton to 336-3 and then the visitors wrapped up the win by dismissing Alveley for 105.