EUAN Woods will never forget England’s emphatic victory over South Africa in the Third Test at The Oval on Monday.

For the Wargrave-based teenager was England’s 12th man on Thursday and Saturday.

In addition to Henley and Berkshire, Euan plays for Surrey 2nds and it was at one of their games when he was asked if he would like to be one of the 12th men.

“It was good experience, as you can learn from the players how they prepare for a game,” he said.

“I didn’t get on the pitch, as England were not fielding for very long when I did it, so it was just running on with drinks.”

Woods, who helped Berkshire beat Oxfordshire on Tuesday to retain the Western Division title, said there was “quite a relaxed” mood in the England dressing room.

He added: “Players were doing their own thing, going about their business as they do normally.”

Reading Chronicle:

Euan Woods in cricket action.

The only slight disappointment for his family was that Euan was called Evan on the scorecard.

His contract with Surrey ends in October, but he is hoping for it to be renewed as his aim is to become a regular in the Surrey first-team squad.”

The all-rounder earned the man-of-the-match award for his 142 not out when Berkshire won the Unicorns Championship play-off against Lincolnshire last season and he will be hoping for another memorable match when the county defend the title at Banbury later this month.

  • HAVING gone close last season, you would expect Reading FC to be fancied for the Championship title this time around.

But most of the major bookmaking companies are not seeing it that way.

The prices being offered this week suggest Royals are going to finish nearer to mid-table.

They are best priced 15-2 with Sky Bet to gain promotion though as low as 4-1 with Boylesports.

Aston Villa and Middlesbrough are warm favourites to go up to the Premier League, with Fulham, Sheffield Wednesday and Norwich next best.

Royals striker Yann Kermorgant, who finished sixth in the list last season with 18 goals, is a general 25-1 shot to finish as the Championship’s top scorer.