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Cricket: Chippenham captain Steve Silk is tipping Zimbabwean debutant Ryan Higgins as a future professional after he became the club's first player in six years to score a century.

The powerful 19-year-old international - whose biggest claim to fame is getting Brian Lara out in a one-day game for Zimbabwe - hit 118 not out in Chippenham's opening day victory over Marlborough on Saturday.

And skipper Silk says ex-Winsley all-rounder Higgins wasn't even at his best as he battled towards his historic total on an unhelpful damp wicket.

Silk, who only managed a duck himself as Chippenham scored 195 for seven from their 50 overs, said: "Ryan has aspirations to make it first class and he's shown already he's certainly got the ability.

"He just seems to like hitting the ball far. He said he felt he didn't play well because he only got three or four runs off his first 40 balls.

"But he had an explosive last ten overs where he really showed what he can do.

"He's also a good leg spin bowler but we didn't need to use him - you don't get Brian Lara out unless you're pretty useful."

But while youngster Higgins took the batting plaudits, experienced bowler Clifton Folkes was the star with the ball as he claimed five wickets for 23 as Marlborough were dismissed for 90 runs.

Andrew Bell top scored for Boro with 22 and Silk said of Folkes: "Cliffy has come back from a double knee operation and he looks really fit now.

"He bowled superbly and played a major part in us taking their last nine wickets for 26 runs."

Chippenham, who beat Glos/Wilts Division rivals Swindon 24 hours later in the first round of the National Knockout Cup with just three first team players, face another local derby at Biddestone on Saturday.

Silk said: "Beating Swindon was a big scalp and it puts the pressure on them for our league games now.

"But next up is Biddestone. I know them well, they finished third last season and they will be a top four side again this year.The clubs are just two miles apart and we all get on well off the pitch, but it will be one of our most competitive matches of the season."

9:46am Thursday 8th May 2008

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