GEORGE Fox has played cricket in some exotic locations but he says he is more than happy to be back playing in his hometown of Marlborough.

The 26-year-old, of Rogers Meadow, is currently making runs and taking wickets for Marlboroughin the Wilts and Glos League Division Two.

On Saturday he played a vital role in their nerve-wracking final ball victory away to Gloucester.

He scored 37 runs, his best total for the club, as Marlborough batted first and then took two wickets for 46 runs as the game went to the final ball.

Gloucester needed a four to draw or a six to win but Fox was once again up to the task for Marlborough as he took a dramatic catch to seal victory for his team.

Fox has been with Marlborough for three years and it is the first time he has played in his hometown since the age of nine.

He said: "It's very satisfying to be playing for Marlborough and to be with a team of players who are all doing well.

"We'd lost our two previous games in the final over so it was good that one went our way on Saturday.

"It was a good batting pitch at Gloucester and I was a bit worried that our total might not be enough.

"But it was a generally good performance from everyone of our players. The important thing was that everyone played their part."

Injuries forced Fox to bat higher up the order and he said he had been a little nervous walking up to the crease.

"When the skipper said I was batting at number six I was more surprised than anything," he added.

"I didn't expect to be batting that high up the order at this stage of the season but we've had some injuries.

"In the end I got 37 runs and I haven't made that many for years certainly not in the three years I've been at the club."

Fox started playing cricket at the age of eight when he attended Marlborough College. From there he went to a boarding school in Dorset and kept up the sport.

He returned to Wiltshire to play in friendly games for the Tidworth-based Wiltshire Queries before joining Marlborough three years ago.

He also plays for the Isle of Tresco in the Scilly Isles every summer.

Fox said: "Cricket has always been my number one sport although I've never really played much in Marlborough until now.

"I even play in the Scilly Isles every summer because one of my friends lives there and he gets me in the team for a couple of games when I visit.

"It's the nearest I'll get to playing in the Caribbean!"

Fox continued: "But at the moment I'm just really enjoying being in the Marlborough side and I love my Saturday cricket.

"I'll keep playing until my body packs up because I enjoy it so much."

Fox hopes Marlborough can go on to have a good season but he is hoping the rest of their games will not be as nerve-wracking as last Saturday.

"After we'd batted against Gloucester I was slightly nervous that we'd not made enough runs," he added.

"I felt we'd needed a few more because they had a couple of good batsmen but our bowlers contained them well.

"I've not been taking as many wickets as I'd like but I got two on Saturday from my 13 overs and felt I'd done okay.

"When we went into the final deciding over I was joking that I was glad to be well out of the way down at long-off.

"Then when I saw the last ball flying towards me I couldn't believe it. Navid was backing towards me so I shouted that it was mine.

"My main thought was to save a boundary because that would have been good enough for us to win.

"But when I took the catch and the celebrations started it was a great feeling.

"It was good for us to get back to winning ways and I feel we are going from strength to strength.

"Hopefully we can keep this form up because it is vital we stay in this division."