ILAN Frankel waited five years to score a hundred and has now hit five in a row.

The 41-year-old, who lives in Thorpe Bay, has rattled off his successive centuries while lining up for Sunday non-league club Mount.

And even Frankel has been surprised by his run of remarkable form.

“I have been playing cricket for 30 years and have never had an experience like this before,” said the opening batsman.

“My confidence grew after I scored the first hundred and I played my own game almost without nerves thereafter.

“For some reason my focus and concentration has been great this summer and the results have followed.

“I only hope that I can continue to play like this for the rest of the season.”

Frankel’s first century came when he scored 110 against Old Southendians before following that up with 103 against Eton House Old Boys and 119 when he faced JWT Wilcox.

Frankel then scored 123 in a clash with Rankin’s before hitting 137 when taking on Canewdon.

And he admits to there being a feeling of disbelief around the club, who play at their home games at Southend’s Alleyn Court School.

“I was thrilled after scoring the first hundred because it had been five years since the last time I had managed to score a century,” said Frankel.

“The excitement definitely grew after the second and third hundreds and more people affiliated with the club and from other clubs started to take an interest.

“When I extended it to four in row there was almost a feeling of disbelief and we started to talk about the record for consecutive number of centuries.

“After the fifth and final century I was getting a bit embarrassed by the attention, but I was enjoying batting and making runs so much that I didn’t want it to come to an end.

“My next game is now July 19 and I am hoping to make it six!”