Jordan DeSilva is reaping the benefits for his new mental approach towards batting.

The Somerset captain produced a genuine captain’s innings on the way to a career best knock in a 50 overs match against First Division rivals Somerset Bridge at Somerset Cricket Club last weekend.

DeSilva struck 165 and featured in a 138 run fourth -wicket partnership with Greg Maybury (52) that steadied the ship and all but clinched his team’s comfortable 135 run victory.

“It’s always feels good to get a big score, but even more when your team really needs it,” DeSilva said.

“We were in early trouble. Somerset Bridge had us three for three in the third over before Greg and I got us out of trouble.” Jeff Richardson, the Somerset coach, says DeSilva’s timely and vital knock was “the epitome of a captain’s innings”.

“I think Jordan exemplified what a captain’s innings is actually about,” he said.

“He set about repairing the innings and was very patient and batted extremely smart, kept the scoreboard ticking over ones and twos.

“I honestly believe that he may not have hit a six until he was past 100 so it was the epitome of a captain’s innings. Probably one of the best captain’s innings that I’ve ever seen.”

The 29-year-old all rounder also featured in partnerships of 51 and 49 for the sixth and seventh wickets with cousins Justin Corday (20) and Terence Corday (11) before was eventually dismissed with Somerset in control at 288 for 8.

DeSilva’s century was his second of the season having stroked 104 against coach Richardson’s former team Western Stars in the Central Counties as a guest player for Tuff Dogs and the ninth of his career.

“Being captain, batting in the top four or five, I think is a responsibility thing for me,” DeSilva added. “I never doubted my ability before, but I guess when you’re batting further down the order you sort of feel less important and don’t put as much into it.

“I think that’s the main reason because I don’t bat any more than I used to in training and stuff so I think it’s a mindset really.”

While, he has found form with the bat at the perfect time with Cup Match just a little over two weeks away, DeSilva doesn’t feel he will be the main man to look to for runs, although he is desperate to have an influence on proceedings, if and when required.

“I have seven or eight guys that will bat before me so I would like to be in a situation where I don’t have to come and get a lot of runs,” he said.

“However, of course obviously whenever the team needs me to deliver, whether it’s with the bat or the ball, as captain I just always try and do my best.”