Dominic Sabir, the Somerset captain, is warming up for Cup Match after achieving another career milestone in his team’s convincing win against Premier Division 50 Overs rivals Willow Cuts at Somerset Cricket Club last month.

The all-rounder hammered 150 from 103 balls, lashing eight sixes and 14 boundaries, on the way to a career-best knock and the season’s highest individual score to date.

“This is the most runs I’ve ever scored in one game, so I was pleased with the performance and really happy that I was able to bat time and actually give myself a chance to take it that far,” Sabir told The Royal Gazette.

“The pitch was quite flat but as the day moved on it broke down a little bit and started to turn more and do some unexpected things. But it was nice because I was able to challenge myself and play every ball on its merit instead of just going through the line, which is what 50 overs is about.

“I started off quite slow, took some time to get my eye in. Was just looking to push the singles and twos and play low-risk cricket.

“I back myself always to catch up, so in the beginning that means taking my time and getting the pace of the wicket down and where the scoring options are going to be.”

Sabir dominated a 190-run, sixth-wicket partnership with Antonio Darrell, who scored 64 from 88 balls, which laid the foundation for Somerset’s 366 for seven after electing to take first strike.

“That’s the first time Antonio and I have been able to do that together and I was also pleased with his performance. I was pleased with how were able to pick the gaps and be decisive about our shot selection,” he said.

“It was really nice to stick to the wicket with one person. I was glad I was able to share that moment with a close friend of mine outside of the game. Hopefully we keep building on that for the games to come.”

Sabir has been in sparkling form lately, having also led unbeaten Pembroke Panthers to Bermuda Smash Invitational glory and finishing as the tournament’s top scorer with 229 runs.

He was also part of Bermuda’s squad that topped the group at the ICC T20 World Cup Americas Sub-Regional Qualifier held at North Field, National Sports Centre, last month.

Sabir attributes his good form to doing his homework on his opponents.

“I’ve been giving myself the time to really study the players who I am playing against and have been intentional about my plans,” he said.

“I think lot a lot of the times we as Bermudians, especially with the T20 stuff, we just go have a swing, and that’s not what cricket is about — especially in this format and getting ready for Cup Match.

“It’s like you have to show that you can be out there for a time and show that you have a large range of shots. You have to show that if the pitch isn’t as good as it should be you can still put on.”

Sabir also attributes his form to the support of Somerset coach Janiero Tucker, team-mates and family members.

“I have a good coach and team around me and, being with the national squad and playing in the Bermuda Smash Invitational, I’ve played a lot of cricket over the last month,” he said. “So I’d attribute my good form to my preparation and team-mates that I have around me and people that’s there to support me.

“Support is a big thing for me. I have a big family and a lot of people know me through the game, so if I’m able to show my class and be out there to do more, then that’s what I’m going to do every time.”

Sabir, who has also held his own bowling off spin, is encouraged by the progress being made by a youthful Somerset team.

“As the captain I am pleased with the team so far,” he said.

“I think of the games in T20 that we could’ve won as a team that didn’t go our way is just a reflection of how a team with a lot of young guys is supposed to level up; learn and take something from every game that will make us better for the next game. That’s my goal for the team.”

Sabir said the team’s priority at the moment is development rather than winning silverware.

“Everybody wants to win trophies but it’s not the what that I’m really concerned about, it’s the how,” he said.

“I have a young team much more inexperienced than a lot of the teams out there in the Premier Division. But we are punching above our weight class and we are going to continue to punch above our weight class.

“That’s what it’s all about; the challenge and the development. Trophies are secondary to me at this point in time.”