Former England international Rikki Clarke completes back-to-back Hampshire League double centuries

By Simon Carter
Published 29th May 2023, 10:59 BST
Former England international Rikki Clarke struck his third Hampshire League double century for Shrewton - and his second in as many inningsFormer England international Rikki Clarke struck his third Hampshire League double century for Shrewton - and his second in as many innings
Former England international Rikki Clarke struck his third Hampshire League double century for Shrewton - and his second in as many innings
Rikki Clarke completed back-to-back Hampshire Cricket League double centuries on his first appearance of the 2023 season.

The former England international - 22 appearances across all formats between 2003-2006 - blasted 210 for Shrewton in a County Division 1 fixture against Alton 2nds.

On his last previous visit to the crease in a league game, the 41-year-old had smacked an unbeaten 207 - with 21 fours and 16 sixes - against Steep last August.

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This time Clarke - who only retired from the first class game in 2021 - hit 19 fours and 17 sixes in a 128-ball stay at the crease.

It was the former Surrey star’s third Hampshire League double century for Shrewton - having also blitzed 229 (with 16 fours and 22 sixes) against South Wilts 3rds last May.

On that occasion, Clarke posted a screenshot of his innings on social media, a move which divided opinion.

Some suggested that a former international flaying grassroots bowlers - some of whom might only be teenagers - to all parts was making a mockery of the game.