RAMSBOTTOM professional Daryn Smit has been hailed as ‘super human’ after he took his batting average for the season to an amazing 140.

The 31-year-old South African is in his second season as Ramsbottom’s pro and could threaten the Lancashire League’s runs record after already amassing 1,126 in 18 matches. Not only that, but Smit is also the league’s leading wicket-taker with 65 wickets at an average of 7.75.

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Smit hit 114 not out and took 5-26 as second-placed Ramsbottom beat Colne at the weekend to close the gap to league leaders Burnley to six points.

“Daryn continued his super human form,” said wicket-keeper Tom Parton. “His innings against Colne was faultless, he didn’t give them a single chance.

“It’s been an amazing achievement what he’s done this season.

“If he stays with us for the rest of the season he could break the league record. He’s not far off the Ramsbottom record already, I think he’s only about 150 behind Brad Hodge.”

Smit looks likely to miss the last game of the season as he returns to South Africa to prepare for the new campaign with the Dolphins, but has already agreed to return for a third season as Ramsbottom’s pro next year.

Former Australian Test cricketer Hodge is just one of a number of big names to have played for Ramsbottom over the years.

Others have included current Australia captain Michael Clarke and South African Clive Rice, who died last week.

But Parton believes that Smit’s statistics this year must put him among the greatest players ever to play in the Lancashire League.

Asked if he had ever known a player to have an average comparable to Smit’s 140, he said: “No, in a word! He’s as good a pro as this league has had.

“I’m sure some of the older gentlemen might say that back in the day there were some seriously good Test cricketers playing here, and there were, but stats don’t lie.”