A RECENT England captain and former international spinner were back on the cricket pitches of Bucks last week.

Andrew Strauss was outside the ropes at Ballinger Waggoners U10A’s crucial game with Marlow last Friday, while former spinner Ian Salisbury was at London Road delivering a specialist spin session at a colts training session on Wednesday.

Strauss was at the Ballinger match to support his son Sam, who plays for Marlow.

Both sides were unbeaten before play but Marlow must have thought they’d gained an early advantage when they won the toss and inserted their guests.

But Ballinger, possibly inspired by their star guest, put on a season’s best total of 334-4 with captain Oliver Webb and wicket-keeper Max Conway top-scoring.

Raphi Weatherall and Max Foden-Ellis also offered solid contriubutions with the bat.

In reply, Marlow struggled to keep up with the rate and eventually ended on 257-7, with Finn Henry taking thre wickets, Weatherall two and Kuran Biring and Webb one each.

Salisbury, who took 20 wickets in 15 Tests for England, will be holding spinning masterclasses at High Wycombe CC on Wednesday evening throughout the summer.

For details email http://geoff@ygca.co.uk