Hampshire's Charlie van der Gucht is back playing cricket - just 13 months after suffering horrific injuries in a road accident last summer.

And he even celebrated with a wicket as he helped the Hampshire Academy take another step towards the Southern Electric Premier League, Division 2 championship with a 32-run win over Old Tauntonians & Romsey.

Van der Gucht, 22, broke both his legs and was on a life support machine after being hit by a taxi in Twickenham last July.

But, little more than a year after his accident and after courageously battling his way back - and landing a 2.1 history degree at Durham University in the process - the left-arm spinner took his first positive step towards a comeback in the professional game.

Van der Gucht bowled a full 12-overs and finished with satisfying figures of 1-34.

"I was really pleased with the way things went, but it was obviously very tiring, particularly the fielding aspect," he confessed.

"It was the first time I had stood around for three hours and I came off from fielding totally drained - but nonetheless pleased.

"Playing again was an important physiological barrier to overcome, but I've done it and now I'm looking forward to next week's match (against United Services) with the Academy team."

The Hampshire youngsters certainly had their work cut out beating a tenacious OTs side.

Although three of the top order failed, Irfan Shah (55) gave the innings momentum before becoming Max Smith's third victim at 94-4.

Martin Bushell (60) shared key middle-order partnerships with David Wheeler (31) and Tom Burrows (34) as the Academy advanced to 233 all out, Nick Wood (3-56) and Jeremy Ord (3-59) sharing the spoils.

There was even an opportunity for Van der Gucht to bat, but he was run out for four.

"Batting really was weird. It was the first time I'd held a bat for some time and I got myself run out when I fell over after my spikes got caught in the pitch," he laughed.

Charles Forward (60) fired OTs' response and with Smith (49) his partner, took the reply to 104-3 before Wheeler's direct-hit throw ran the latter out.

Van der Gucht bowled his 12 overs in mid-innings, having Keith Trodd caught by Luke Merry.

"The first eight overs were fine, but the last four were a physical drain.

"But it was something I had to get through," he said.

The Academy gradually chipped their way through the batting after that, the Romsey club finishing with a creditable 201-8, and van der Gucht returning home knowing that he had taken his first positive step on the comeback trail.

© Hampshire Cricket