Lewis McManus celebrated his maiden ECB Southern Electric Premier League century against Alton – using a bat he’d loaned from Hampshire skipper Jimmy Adams.

The 18-year old batsmen/wicketkeeper, who sits the last of his A-level examinations at Clayesmore School this morning, hit a career-best 115 and shared in a 150-run opening stand with Jake George as the Academy posted 277-4 declared, writes MIKE VIMPANY.

But the Academy’s hopes of celebrating a third successive Premier Division win, were thwarted as time ran out with Alton 144-8.

“The bat Jimmy loaned me was awesome and I’ve never hit a ball quite so well before,” beamed the teenage centurion.

“Jimmy took the trouble to come across after the Hampshire-Kent game had petered out in a draw and asked him how it had gone – and then gave it to me to keep.

“It was a brilliant gesture and something I’ll remember for a long while.”

McManus could hardly have chosen a better time to score his maiden century as the ECB’s Head of Development and former Chairman of the Test Selectors, David Graveney, watched his innings and ran the rule over several other promising Academy prospects.

McManus struck three sixes and seven boundaries in his 115, enjoying a 155-run opening partnership with Jake George, who marked his first game back after ankle ligament damage with an accomplished 84.

“My foot felt good and I feel I’m ready to go now. But I’ve got a lot of catching up to do having missed the start of the season through injury,” he said.

The pair underpinned the Academy’s 277-4, off-spinner Julian Ballinger finishing with 3-59.

Alton were never at the races and were indebted to a 45-minute injury stoppage - which led to ten overs being trimmed off their reply – for being able to hold on at 144-8.

Scott Myers (30) and Dewayne Bowden (23) top scored, while spin duo Brad Taylor (4-37) – fresh from a four-wicket Hampshire Second XI debut against Sussex at Horsham – and Mason Crane (3-38) took seven of the eight wickets to fall before the match ended in a draw.

l Hampshire Academy prospect Luke Webb was taken to hospital by ambulance after being struck in the face while fielding forward short-leg in the Academy’s match against Alton.

Webb was struck on the face of his helmet by a slog-sweep shot by Alton opener Michael Heffernan.

Play match was halted for 45 minutes while paramedics treated the 17-year old, who was later discharged from hospital.

“I was fielding pretty close in and the ball was hit with such force it wedged itself in the face grill of the visor on my helmet.

“We tried to claim a catch, but the umpires were having none of it. “It was a nasty experience. I feared it had mashed my nose up completely, but I’m ok and have retained my good looks, so all’s well.” Webb laughed.”

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