These reports are designed so that the player in question can look at their season in terms of figures. Sometimes bar room chat and banter can hide the truth behind what individuals are achieving.

Today we take a look at Jim Downing.

Batting 2007:

Scores: 10, 4, 27, 1, 25, 19, 32*, 52*, 21, 30*

50’s: 1

100’s: 0

Total runs: 221

Average: 31.57

4’s: 29

6’s: 1

Mode of dismissal:

Bowled, Lbw, Bowled, Caught, Caught, Lbw, Not out, Not out, Caught, Not out

Jim’s batting was a key part to Rosaneri competing in many of the games that we played. At the start of the season he was responsible for rescuing many a collapse with runs from the lower middle order or tail end. But by the end of the season, he had established himself as a true all rounder and a grinding top order batsman.

The highlight of his season with the bat came against Edmonton where he hit a patient and supportive 52 not out. In the process he shared a 132 run partnership, a record for the club, with Andy Underwood.

Throughout the season Jim’s confidence grew with every game and by the end of the season he clearly felt invisible by registering 135 runs and only getting out once in four innings.

Bowling 2007:

4-0-24-1

8-1-33-2

2-0-12-1

3-1-22-2

3-0-14-1

8-1-35-5

7-0-28-3

2-0-4-1

1-0-32-0

8-2-21-2

8-1-40-1

Total for season: 54-6-265-19

Average: 13.9

Economy: 4.91

Method of dismissal:

Stumped, Lbw, Bowled, Caught, Bowled, Bowled, Caught, Caught, Bowled, Bowled, Caught, Bowled, Lbw, Stumped, Caught, Bowled, Lbw, Stumped, Lbw

Jim also enjoyed a fantastic year with the ball, and returned some brilliant figures. He finished as the club’s leading wicket taker with 19 at an average of only 13.9 runs per wicket.

The 5 for 35 against Ockbrook and Borrowash was particularly special and became the club’s first ever individual 5 wicket haul.

His overall economy rate of just fewer than 5 was good, but can certainly be improved upon next year with greater consistency. Winter nets will need to see Jim work on the perfect line and length for 5 or 6 balls per over rather than 3 or 4.

Summary:

Over the course of the season Jim developed into a true all rounder and led from the front with his cricketing experience on many occasions. Although he finished as the leading wicket taker, it was his batting that saved the day during numerous games.

It was a season that Jim can be proud of, but he must not rest on his laurels. He must get his head down in winter nets and strive to improve further on these magnificent standards that he has set for himself.

200 runs and 20 wickets for 2008 should be realistic targets.