Veteran all rounder Herbie Bascome is enjoying his cricket these days — and loving each and every moment of it!

Since the start of the 2007 cricket season Bascome has led St. George's in both the batting and bowling departments and now attributes his early season form to a wealth of experience and insight gained in his new role as assistant national coach.

"I just wish I had some of the knowledge I now have today years ago. Maybe I would've been a better all rounder," said Bascome, who smashed a career-best 120 against Cleveland County last weekend at Wellington Oval.

"But working with the national squad has definitely helped me gain more insight into the game which now makes things a lot easier. Right now I'm playing off memory but still looking to take the challenge to batsmen or bowlers. And at the end of the day if they are not up to it then I am going to take advantage of the situation."

Bascome, who made a name for himself over the years bowling with the new ball, made the decision to place added emphasis on his batting two-seasons ago — a decision that now appears to be paying off.

"My physical means is not going to allow me to perform bowling like I used to," he said. "I'm now only running off four or five paces and trying to maximise the insight that I have as far as being able to bowl an off-cutter, an inswinger or an away swinger off a simple run up.

"But in terms of my batting, this is where I feel I now have more to offer."

In addition to last week's belligerent ton, scored off a mere 83 balls, Bascome already has three half-centuries and two five-wicket hauls with the new ball under his belt. Naturally, such form would almost certainly warrant a call to national or Cup Match duty. Bascome, however, insists that both his national team and Cup Match days are now well and truly behind him.

"The only way I would play in Cup Match again is if a lot of players are away at the time. Outside of that I am not looking to play in Cup Match and definitely not with the national squad," he declared.

At St. George's Bascome reckons he's surrounded by potential but is also aware of the enormity of the task team management face trying to milk the best from the club's up and coming prospects.

"The main thing is to try and get the youngsters focused and get them to where they are supposed to be," he added. "They have the talent, but we have to find a way to work along with them to bring the best out of that talent."

Bascome was just one a few seasoned cricketers that shone with either bat or ball last weekend.

Veteran St. George's left arm spinner Eugene (Calabash) Foggo scored 49 runs against Cleveland at Wellington Oval on Saturday and then followed up that impressive performance the next day against St. David's by claiming five for 45 at Lords.

Meanwhile former Willow Cuts and Somerset Cup Match skipper Dexter Basden also enjoyed success with the bat by scoring 75 against PHC at White Hill Field along with Flatts slugger James Celestine who also clubbed 75 against Somerset at Somerset Cricket Club.

And with local cricket now at a cross-roads in the post-World Cup era, Bascome feels the extra need to stay active in the sport as long as he possibly can to assist in the development of those coming behind.

He also hopes that his input can help restore St. George's to some of the dizzying heights they once enjoyed before he bows out as a player.

"I'm just looking to continue helping the club and enjoying my cricket while it lasts," he added. "And hopefully it lasts long enough whereas St. George's can achieve some sort of success from it."