2007 averages - Young batsmen, old bowlers

Alan Cope, who had such a good India tour, topped the batting averages (Seren Waters and Stuart Meaker had higher averages but did not play enough to qualify) with his 61 against Harrow the innings of the season. He also made his first OC hundred at home � all four centuries came from players under 25. Dane Groenveld, back for a sabbatical from Australia, was in awesome form and played some thrilling attacking innings. Rob Merry found good form, but Johnny Gates, after a good start, again struggled. He will come good and few players deserve success more than him. Damien Hill was unable to capture his form of 2006, and Matt Crump was surprisingly out of sorts other than in the Brewers Cup final.

While his body may show signs of ageing, Michael Chetwode continues to be our most parsimonious bowler and yet again he tops the averages. You have to go back more than two decades to find the last time he was not either the leading wicket-taker or topped the averages. Another not-quite-so-old oldie, Henry Watkinson, equaled Chetwode's 11 wickets, while only Matt Crump, two decades Chetwode's junior, had a double-wicket tally. Alex Craven was the pick of the cup bowlers, although Cope had his moments in the Brewers Cup, but we lacked a spinner. Graham Webb, two years off 50, came back for the cup and showed what a class act he remains . He is also still able to fit into the whites he wore at school ... and how many of us can say that, Tristan?

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