Michael Mence Cricketer
Michael David Mence (born 13 April 1944) is a former English cricketer. Mence was a left-handed batsman who bowled right-arm medium pace. He was born at Newbury, Berkshire. A highly regarded school boy cricketer, Mence made his debut in County Cricket for Berkshire in the Minor Counties Championship in 1961 against Devon. During the season he played all 10 Championship matches for the county. In 1962 he was selected for the Public Schools XI at Lords, taking 8-34 against the Combined Services. He was signed by Warwickshire and made his first-class debut in the 1962 County Championship against Middlesex. From 1962 to 1965, he represented Warwickshire in 31 first-class matches, the last of which came against Lancashire. In his 31 first-class matches for Warwickshire he scored 467 runs at a batting average of 13.34. With the ball he took 61 wickets for the county at a bowling average of 32.50, with best figures of 5/26. He also played a single List-A match for the county against Northamptonshire in the 1963 Gillette Cup. In 1966, he appeared for the Marylebone Cricket Club against Surrey at Lord'shaving joined Gloucestershire. He made his first-class debut for the county against Hampshire. In 1966 and 1967, he represented the county in 22 first-class matches, the last of which came against Middlesex. In his 22 first-class matches for the county, he scored 482 runs at an average of 17.21, while making his career high score of 78. With the ball he took 25 wickets at a bowling average of 42.68, with best figures of 4/27. He resigned from the county staff after the 1968 season, which brought about an end to his first-class career. In his 54 first-class matches hehad scored 949 runs at an average of 15.06, with 4 half centuries and a high score of 78. With the ball he had taken 86 wickets at an average of 35.46, with 2 five wicket hauls and best figures of 5/26. In 1968, he rejoined Berkshire, where between 1968 and 1982, he represented the county in 49 matches, the last of which came against Oxfordshire in 1982. He also represented Berkshire in List-A cricket during this period. His debut List-A match for the county came against Hertfordshire in the 1976 Gillette Cup, with his second and final List-A appearance for the county coming against Durham in the 1979 Gillette Cup. Mence captained Berkshire from 1976 to 1978. Mence also represented Minor Counties South in the Benson and Hedges Cup from 1973-75. In all he represented the team in 6 List-A matches.