FARNHAM'S David Sydenham, the former Surrey seam bowler, has been honoured by his old county (writes Carl Obert).

Surrey decided to present all their living capped players with a numbered cap. Since the club was formed in 1845, no fewer than 184 players have been capped for the county and there are 65 still living who retain an interest in the club.

All these were invited to be presented with their cap and David Sydenham received his at the first presentation during the tea interval of the Championship match against Essex.

He was amongst 18 other former players at The Oval, including David Ward, Chris Waller, Geoff Howarth, Joey Benjamin, Alan Butcher, Keith Medlycott and two former team-mates, Mickey Stewart and Raman Subba Row.

"I'm number 120 and it's very nice to have an exact replica of my old sweaty cap which went missing years ago," said David.

A left-arm medium-fast bowler, David Sydenham played 145 first-class matches for Surrey and, between 1957 and 1965, took 487 wickets (best 9-70) at an average of 19.98.

Followers of Farnham cricket had the chance to see his great skill when he played a couple of seasons for the town club.

In 1968 he took 44 wickets at a tiny average of 9.0, opening the bowling with John Storey, the present captain of Frensham 4th XI, who bowled fast in those days before switching to leg-spin later in the innings.

Club league cricket in Surrey was some way off, but the standard was high and the matches no less competitive.

Farnham were particularly strong then, with players like Jim Banks, the captain, Geoff Hebden, Neil Wilson, John Tanner, Geoff Southgate, Ron Chambers and Storey in the side.

"Dave was a class act and quite a character," remembered Jim Banks. "He liked to have a bit of a joke."

The former skipper has a particularly vivid memory of a Flora Doris Cup match against Albury, when the village side seemed to be cruising to victory. "Their openers looked in no trouble chasing a low score and I tried to gee Dave up. He said, 'Do you want me to knock a few over?' and proceeded to take four wickets in four balls – all bowled. We won the match.

"He could move the ball both ways at will. In fact he could make the bloody thing talk. His control was perfect."

David Sydenham added: "I seem to remember that John Storey and I formed quite a mean opening attack. I have very fond memories of my cricket in the Park."

He went on to play for Guildford, while still playing the occasional one-day game for Surrey up to 1972.

He lives at Boundstone, Rowledge and, as a podiatrist (chiropodist), is well known in the area. He also likes a game of golf with some of his former team-mates.