HIMBLETON opening batsman and skipper Jon Critchlow is in a hurry to score runs before his wedding to fiancée Katie Davies next month.

The 31-year-old, who also plays rugby for Bromsgrove, knows his appearances on the cricket field will be limited in July and in the latter stages of the season.

Critchlow had an early let-off against Alveley, when he was dropped on nine, before hammering a personal-best 187 in Himbleton’s 231-run home triumph in Worcestershire League Division Three.

Alveley were never in contention and were dismissed for 172 in the 36th over.

Critchlow’s batting efforts have earned him the accolade of Worcester News player of the week for which he wins a £25 Fearnley Factory Shop voucher.

Critchlow said: “That was my second century of the season. I have started quickly because I know I have to make runs early because I won’t be playing in July due to my wedding.

“I missed the match against Avoncroft the previous week and took half of the first team with me to Bratislava for my stag weekend.”

Critchlow, also the club’s chairman, opened Himbleton’s innings last Saturday with Stu Dickenson who made 46 runs inside 10 overs.

The skipper played himself in and took centre stage, crashing 19 fours and 13 sixes as he propelled Himbleton to an impressive 403-7 from 50 overs.

“It was a new strip and there are small boundaries at Himbleton, particularly straight,” said Critchlow, who first joined the village club as a 10 year old.

“It’s nice opening the batting with Stu because he keeps the scoreboard ticking over and I feel able to play myself in.”

He added: “I should have been out for just nine runs. I chipped the ball straight to mid-off and I started walking off because I thought I was going to be caught. However, after that, I didn’t give another chance until I was dismissed in the 43rd over.

“When I came back into the dressing room, the lads told me well done but said I would never get a better chance to get to 200.”

Critchlow’s previous highest score in league cricket was 145 against Old Vigornians.

Cricket is the second sport for the former Moseley rugby star, who played 24 times for Bromsgrove last term and coaches the backs.

He is employed by the RFU as a community coach in South Birmingham and Solihull and works with clubs in Evesham, Bredon and Pershore.

“Rugby is my first sport and I will have to miss the last two games of the cricket season because it does clash with the rugby," he said.

“But I enjoy my cricket and this is my third season as both chairman and first team captain at Himbleton.

“We had a bit of a blip at Netherton when we were skittled out on a bowler-friendly pitch, but we have a strong batting line-up.”