Ram Patel
Every cricketer remembers their first hundred. Mine came on 25 June 2023, batting for Wellingborough Indians Sunday 1st XI against Laxton Park CC in a league match. I was 14 years old.
The Innings
| Batter | Runs | Not Out | Bowling |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ram Patel | 104* | Yes | 1/14 (1.4 ov) |
Walking out to bat, I felt comfortable from ball one. The pitch had decent pace and carry, and I was able to drive through the covers early to settle my nerves. Once I got to 50, I shifted gears — the pull shots and sweeps started flowing.
The moment I pushed a single into the off side to reach three figures is something I'll never forget. My teammates were on their feet in the pavilion. It wasn't just a number — it was proof that the hours of practice, the early mornings, the sessions in the nets were paying off.
What It Meant
At 14, scoring a century in senior Sunday league cricket felt like a breakthrough. I'd been playing senior cricket since 2021, gradually building my scores — 69 against Bucks U13, a string of thirties and forties. But a hundred was the target I'd been chasing all season.
I also chipped in with 1 wicket for 14 runs from 1.4 overs, making it a solid all-round day.
This knock gave me the confidence to push for bigger scores in 2024 and beyond. Looking back, it was the start of everything that followed — the county selections, the multiple centuries, the 5,000-run milestone.