EX INTERNATIONAL stars came out to play as Amersham hosted the Lashings team as part of their annual cricket week.

Former South Africa Test batsman Hershelle Gibbs was the star of the show, hitting 83 off 38 deliveries to help the all-star team of former pros to 208-4 in a twenty over match at Shardeloes.

Amersham fell 31 runs short of victory in a competitive game.

They played a further four games against Gerrards Cross, Aston Rowant, Sonning and an MCC side during their cricket week, but it was the match against Lashings that was the undoubted highlight.

First team captain Luke Jackson said: "Lashings was a fantastic day - a great event, well supported by people locally. We had a really good day.

"Lashings put out a really strong team. Hershelle Gibbs smashed it everywhere but our batsmen also batted well. We didn't quite have enough but it felt like a proper game.

"I wouldn't say I was looking forward to facing him, but we had our eye on Hershelle Gibbs. It was a treat to be playing against him. He was outstanding with the bat.

"With the ball they had Saqlain Mushtaq and Corey Collymore. I only faced a couple of balls but you can tell the skill levels are so high even though they're a little bit older now. They might have lost a bit of pace but they are still doing well with the ball."

A six a side cricket tournament also took place over the course of the week, with winners Hyde Heath beating Chesham Bois to book their place in the final, where they defeated Ballinger.

Jackson said: "It was a great week of weather, a lot of cricket and lots of different people played. I'm already looking forward to next year."

Four raffle prizes remain unclaimed from the Lashings day, for pink tickets 20 and 160 and green tickets four and 191. Winners should contact Luke Jackson on 07818066338.