Oli Ferns must be the unluckiest batsman. The Palmers No.3, looking for his first-ever century, retired hurt on 98 against West Blatchington a couple of weeks ago.

Why? Because he got struck on the head.

But Ollie was made up when that disappointment turned into triumph as he struck a brilliant unbeaten 113 against Brighton and Hove III in the West Sussex League last weekend.

However it all turned sour again. The rain clouds opened and the match was abandoned, making his 113 a void.

So the unlucky cricketer is still looking for his first official century.

Ollie, who lives in Brighton, admitted: "I can't believe how unlucky I've been.

"The lads are giving me plenty of stick about it -but I keep telling them I'll get it next weekend."

Ollie was coasting towards his maiden century against leaders West Blatchington.

"But I got struck in the head and had to go to hospital. I eneded up getting seven stitches above the eye," he said.

A girlfriend of one of the team-mates, who wishes for her identity to remain anonymous, said: "He looked like a Frankenstein Monster."

He certainly was electrically charged as he tore into the Brighton and Hove bowling.

Ollie celebrated his ton and milked the applause -but the rain washed out his milestone as well as the match after Palmers had posted 270-6.

He said: "The century will go in the club records, I'll make sure of that, but it won't be recognised outside the club.

"It doesn't get logged into the league records or averages, so I've still got to post my first ever 100."

Team-mate Justin Thorne said: "Ollie was well gutted. He's a cracking lad and deserves a century. It was a great innings from him.

"I think it is a great pity that it doesn't count.

"The whole team were disappointed because we had Brighton and Hove at 30-1 off 13 overs when the heavens opened.

"So not only was Ollie denied his maiden century, the team were thwarted from winning the match."