STUART Wedge believes Wasim Jaffer is just getting started after striking his first century for Himley.

The big-hitting Indian batsman smashed an unbeaten 137 in just his third game for the Stourbridge Road side as they swept aside Smethwick by 150 runs.

Victory ensured Himley remain top of the Birmingham Premier League after a rain hit Bank Holiday schedule but all the after-match buzz surrounded Jaffer and his memorable innings.

The Mumbai skipper was hired by Himley after the club failed to bring back regular overseas star TP Singh and Wedge, who is enjoying a dream start to his own captaincy, is delighted with his impact.

He said: “When you look at Wasim and TP they are probably polar opposites when it comes to batting styles.

“TP can be very destructive wheras Wasim is a more traditional batsman, he paced his innings extremely well on Saturday.

“He stuck in early on with Chris Tranter when the ball was moving about a bit but when it was time to push the run rate up he didn’t hold back.

“If he continues in this form he’s going to have a major impact on the league this season and a major impact on our team.

“From my point of view it’s been great, when you have players of that quality captaincy becomes easy, you really don’t have to do much - just let them get on with it.”

Himley’s total of 270-2 included fine half centuries for Tranter and Ben Smith, while Dan Smith took 5-31 and Shafiq Ahmed 4-17 as Smethwick were bombed out for just 120.

While Himley are flying, Wedge has sounded a note of caution ahead of this Saturday’s trip to Walsall - the scene of the club’s darkest hour last season when they were bowled out for 72 in a game which barely made it past 3pm.

He said: “The beauty of the Premier League is it’s full of strong sides and you have to be at your best.

“We know Walsall are quite capable of beating us, they are one of the most consistent sides year in year out.

“If we can take the attitude we have had the last few games it should stand us in good stead.”