It was a disappointing afternoon overall for Hoddesdon Cricket Club, with all four Saturday XIs ending on the wrong side of the scorecards. The 1st XI suffered a heartbreaking three-wicket defeat away at Shenley Village after an absorbing Championship Division contest, but amid the frustration there was one performance that simply could not go unnoticed.

For the second time since arriving at Lowfield at the start of the summer, overseas all-rounder Himesh Ramanayake has been named the recipient of the Greene King Level Head IPA Green Jacket Award, recognising another outstanding individual contribution in Hoddesdon colours.

Presented back at Lowfield by young fast bowler Charlie Tackley, Himesh collected the famous green blazer after producing a magnificent unbeaten 89 in an innings that almost dragged Hoddesdon over the line. It was another reminder of exactly why the Sri Lankan has become such an influential figure for the club in such a short space of time.

After a solid platform, Himesh arrived at the crease with the innings delicately poised. What followed was another masterclass in controlled batting as he calmly constructed an innings full of maturity, timing and composure. His unbeaten 89 came from 119 deliveries and included six boundaries and a maximum, but the statistics only tell part of the story. With wickets falling around him, Himesh became the calm at the centre of the storm. He absorbed pressure when required, accelerated when opportunities presented themselves and almost engineered a memorable victory alongside Usman Shafi during a magnificent 131-run partnership, one of the biggest stands of Hoddesdon's season.

That partnership transformed the innings.

While Shafi was playing with his customary fluency, Himesh provided the perfect foil, ensuring Hoddesdon always remained on course for a formidable total. Together they took the visitors from a promising position into one where victory looked increasingly realistic. Although Shenley eventually completed a successful chase with just three wickets to spare, Himesh's contribution remained the defining Hoddesdon performance of the afternoon.

It also continued what has quietly become one of the finest debut seasons by an overseas player in recent club memory. Across just nine innings in all competitions, Himesh has now accumulated 520 runs at a remarkable average of 86.67, with seven half-centuries already to his name. His highest score remains the unbeaten 93 against Welwyn Garden City just a week earlier, meaning he has now backed that effort up immediately with another match-defining knock.

Even more impressively, consistency has become his trademark. His top five innings this season now read 93*, 89*, 81, 60 and 58, illustrating a player who is repeatedly delivering when Hoddesdon need him most. Throw in his valuable overs with the ball throughout the campaign and it becomes easy to understand why the Green Jacket judges continue to look in his direction.

Himesh's Season With The Bat So Far

Of course, this week's award discussion wasn't without a little healthy controversy.

Let's be honest, Usman Shafi produced an innings that would have won plenty of Green Jackets in its own right. His magnificent 113 was packed with authority, strokeplay and class, forming the backbone of Hoddesdon's 269. Had the award gone his way, there would have been very few complaints, however, your roving reporter couldn't help noticing one rather curious detail... When the Green Jacket presentation took place back at Lowfield, there was one rather important absentee. Shafi had understandably headed home after the long day away at Shenley. Did that influence proceedings? Officially, absolutely not. Unofficially... well... let's just say your correspondent has his suspicions! We'll leave the conspiracy theories to everyone else.

In truth, the award also recognised something much bigger than one innings.

Himesh has delivered week after week since pulling on a Hoddesdon shirt, contributing significantly with both bat and ball while setting exceptionally high standards on and off the field. Those consistent performances across the entire campaign undoubtedly strengthened his case and helped edge him over another incredibly worthy candidate.

Presenting the award was young seamer Charlie Tackley, who has enjoyed his own breakthrough moments in the 1st XI this summer and was delighted to hand over the famous jacket.

"Himesh has been brilliant ever since he arrived," said Tackley. "Everyone sees the runs, but what impresses me most is how calm he stays in every situation. He never looks flustered and he's always encouraging the younger lads as well."

"That innings at Shenley was another example of what he brings to the side. He kept believing we could win right until the very end, and that's infectious. It was a pleasure to present him with the Green Jacket because he's thoroughly deserved it."

Charlie Tackley Presents Himesh With The Greene King Level Head Green Jacket

Head of Cricket Louis Purves believes Himesh's influence stretches far beyond the runs he scores.

"This award isn't simply about one innings, although 89 not out under pressure would be enough to win it in many weeks. It's also recognition of the incredible consistency Himesh has shown since joining the club. He's contributed with both bat and ball, he's embraced everything about Hoddesdon Cricket Club and he's become an outstanding role model for our younger players. You can see why everyone enjoys playing alongside him."

"Usman was absolutely magnificent as well and was desperately unlucky not to come away with the Green Jacket himself. Some weeks the margins are incredibly fine, which is exactly what you want when you have so many players producing performances of that quality."

While the weekend ultimately ended without a victory across any of Hoddesdon's four Saturday sides, the Green Jacket Award exists for precisely this reason. Cricket isn't solely about scoreboards. It's about recognising excellence, commitment, resilience and performances that deserve to be remembered, even when the result doesn't fall your way.

Himesh's unbeaten 89 embodied all of those qualities. His innings nearly inspired an outstanding away victory, showcased once again why he has become one of the Championship's most consistent performers and earned him a deserved second Green Jacket of an outstanding first season at Lowfield.

Finally, Hoddesdon Cricket Club would like to thank Greene King Level Head IPA for their continued sponsorship of the Green Jacket Award. Their support allows the club to celebrate outstanding individual performances every single week, recognising the players whose efforts deserve the spotlight, whatever the result on the scoreboard.

Green King Level Head IPA

On this occasion, the jacket once again found its way onto the shoulders of Himesh Ramanayake. Judging by his form this summer, don't be surprised if it isn't the last time.