DAN MARLES is back.
After missing the last three games due to suspension, the Finchampstead skipper made a memorable return to action on Saturday, hitting a century to help his side to a comfortable Home Counties Premier League win over Great and Little Tew.
And while Finches exited the ECB National Club Championship with defeat to Sunbury on Sunday, it was another fine display from Marles with a second century in as many days and also a five-wicket haul.
It has been a tough start to the season for reigning champions Finchampstead, losing each of their first three league games and also losing a number of players after disciplinary issues in a match at Tring Park.
Marles was one of those, ruled out for three matches for ‘failing to control his players’.
But he marked his return in some style during Saturday’s 188-run victory and now wants to push Finch back up the table.
“I can’t have a better weekend than that,” Marles told The Wokingham Paper.
“Two centuries and a five-fer on the same weekend, I’m pretty happy with that.
“It’s just a shame we didn’t win on Sunday but I’m really happy with myself and hopefully I can keep kicking on and get some more runs.”
He added: “It was a tough few weeks sitting out.
“I had a good few nets beforehand just to get ready for it and it’s nice to be back out there and get some runs.
“I don’t think I’ll get a century and a five-fer many more times, let alone lose with it!
“I’ve missed playing so it was really good at the weekend. It’s tough to watch on when you can’t go out there, especially the batting.
“It’s hard to sit and watch sometimes. I’m really happy to be back.”
After the forgettable start, Finches have now won each of their last two league games which has seen them climb up to seventh in the table.
A slow start is not uncommon for Marles’ men having fought back from losing starts in each of the last three seasons.
And the captain feels his side are well placed to embark on a long winning run again with a trip to Burnham on Saturday next on the agenda.
“It’s hard after three losses but we’ve had it last year too and we’re a momentum kind of side,” said Marles.
“We can win three, four or five on the bounce playing some really good cricket.
“We’ll try to get up into the top four if we can. That’s what we set ourselves at the start of the season.
“We’re starting to get players back and some players are hitting form at the right time.
“Hopefully we can really start kicking on now.”
Finch’s chances against Sunbury, which ended in a three-wicket defeat, were hampered by big hitters Dan Lincoln and Billy Rogers both away playing for Berkshire.
And with three centuries this season, some may feel Marles is due a shot with the county.
But he insists it is not something currently on his mind.
“They have some really good players and are in really good shape,” said Marles of Berkshire.
“It’s a hard one. I’ll never say never but I’ll just keep doing what I’m doing for Finch and we’ll see where it takes us.
“I’ve played for the 2s a bit here and there. I might get a go at some point.
“I’m not concentrating on that massively.
“I’m really enjoying my Finch cricket at the moment and I’m more concentrated on my captaincy there.”
Finches, who now sit seventh, face second-placed Burnham on Saturday. But Marles feels any side in the division are beatable.
“It’s a strange kind of league this year,” said the skipper.
“Everyone is quite strong and everyone can win on their day.
“We’ll play our strongest cricket and hopefully that will be enough to get the win.”
There is just one change from the side that beat Great and Little Tew with Craig Hodges replacing Josh Lincoln.
FINCHAMPSTEAD XI v Burnham: Smith, House, Rogers, Marles (c), D. Lincoln, Coetzee, Dewes, Uttley, Parson, Loveday, Hodges.
